Better Than Drinking Alone!

[Satoshi Fuuko]

"Ahhhhhh!" 

Fuuko turned her glass upside down and set it roughly against the bar. After deep sigh of enjoyment, a grin spread over her face as quickly as the red on her cheeks. It was time to celebrate a job well done, her new career as a full fledged Shinigami and anything else that came to mind. After a few days of real work for Squad 4, Satoshi Fuuko had made her way out of the squad barracks and down to one of the bars. She had been eager to scope out the local watering holes ever since graduating the academy and now she had her chance. 

"Oi! Oi!" Fuuko pounded the bar. "Keep em comin!" She demanded. She was at the bar proper, her feel kicking as she leaned forward. Her ample chest resting on her arm and exposed thanks to her modified shihakiushou. It was sleeveless and pulled open. The hakama was replaced by a very short skirt that was barely draped over the stool: Fuuko had neither the good graces nor the care to tuck it under her. Her skin was a tan brown and her hair was a bright blonde. There was a scar running from her left eyebrow to her eye and each arm sported tattoos. Fuuko was in excellent shape with a toned body that might have caught an eye or two even if she wasn't putting herself on display. 


"Kanpaaaaai!" She bellowed when the next drink was served to her. She downed it just as fast as the second one and dropped the sake cup just like she had before. "Nnnn...." 


She hadn't wanted  to come alone, but she knew her brother, Kazuhiko, was too much of a goodie two-shoes to come out and party. All the other unseated members of her squad were much too interested in making a good impression to their superiors and getting to work on time in the morning and she hadn't really gotten to know the seated officers too well just yet.  Fuukp had been unable to convince anyone to join her, but that wasn't going to stop her from having fun. She glanced around again. It was still early, but she didn't know if the place got rowdy at all. She hoped it did. 

Fuuko sighed again, this time the sigh was less enthusiastic. "Oi.." She muttered to herself. After taking a deep breath, she turned and glanced back at the rest of the small crowd. "OI!" She barked again and slapped her chest with her fist. "Ain't anyone got the balls ta come and drink with me!?" She asked loudly, leering at the rest of the bar with a grin and rosy cheeks. She was just getting started!  

[Kaen Youji]

"Sure. I'll take you up on that~" A figure strode across the room and took up the seat beside Fuuko. Much like Fuuko herself, this man was wearing a uniform that had some modifications done to it, although with nowhere near the neatness of her own. While he too sported a sleeveless Shihakusho, it was very clear that the sleeves of his had been removed off without tremendous grace or tailoring talent. A cross shaped scar marked his left cheek, clear blue eyes and a mess of dark hair were three of the distinguishing features that marked this individual. A few other bar goers recognized him at a glance as well. Vice Captain of the Seventh Division, Kaen Youji. From the look of things he it looked like he'd had something of a rough time of it today. Both his arms, and hands were wrapped up in bandages, and while he kept his Shihakusho tightly tied, the right angle of view would show similar bandages around his torso.

In fact, Kaen, not unlike Fuuko herself, was relatively fresh from the Fourth, having ended up there due to overdoing his training. Again. Kaen, since the moment he was brought into a dojo and started training, had a certain talent for that. Half-assing training was not something Kaen did and while some people might merely have injured or torn muscles from overdoing training, Kaen tended to be dragged into Squad 4 looking like he'd been mauled by a bear on at least around a monthly basis. In short, while Fuuko may not have known much about the Vice Captain yet, she'd soon learn to acknowledge his existence in the Fourth Division as a semi-common occurrence.

"Though from the look of things, you've been doing pretty well without a partner yourself. Celebrating something?" Kaen commented, leaning an elbow on the bar so he could look at Fuuko properly, and signaling for a second round of drinks. "Kaen Youji by the way, Lieutenant of the Seventh Division. And whose company do I have the pleasure of enjoying tonight?" He asked with a smile, as the next round of drinks was passed along and he quickly took his glass and knocked it back just as easily as Fuuko had done previously. "And do you think you can keep up tonight? You're looking like the drinks are hitting you already!" He teased at her, smiling.

Kaen wasn't planning on getting drunk tonight-- only the Empress was allowed to see him like that. But hey, he didn't mind the new company and making a new acquaintance tonight!

[Satoshi Fuuko]

"Ooooh?" Fuuko's eye raised as she heard the voice and watched the man slide onto a stool next to her. She nodded with a grin to the seat he took and motioned for one more shot for herself as Kaen ordered. She looked Kaen up and down. He was a handsome man, though it looked like he had also gotten out of the Squad Four infirmary. She took a mental note, but made sure to listen to what he was saying, turning her gaze to him rather than ogling his body inappropriately.

"Heee!" Fuuko bit her lip and hummed. "I can handle my drink, don't ya worry 'bout that!" She said with firmly. "Name's Satoshi Fuuko." Fuuko chirped. "Nice ta meetcha, Fukutaichou." The blonde greeted Kaen with a smile and an offered hand. "I'd wonder why yer out here, but I guess even a vice captain's gotta go ta where the drink is once in a while, yeah?" Fuuko tilted her head. "But I kinda thought all the officers had their own lil clubs they hung out in, honestly. Heh." She didn't really know how it worked. Not that her squad even had either. That was probably why there was such an influx of new recruits to her squad recently. "Or maybe..." Fuuko put a finger to her lips, but shook her head.

She took her next drink, raised it with Kaen and then slapped it down. "Kanpai!" She chirped. "Ahhhhhh~"

Fuuko exhaled and grinned again. "Hot cheeks and a nice smile means it's workin, not that it's gettin one over on me! I ain't never met a drink I ain't been able to handle!" Fuuko said, puffing out her chest. "Or a drinkin partner who I can't at least keep up with! If you put me under the table, I'll just complain about you havin a head start! It'll give me a reason to track ya down and have a proper match!" 

Fuuuko nodded and called for more. "I don't think anyone needs a reason ta have a good drink!" Fuuko explained, "but I did just graduate from the academy, so if ya wanted ta say I was celebratin that, ya could!" Fuuko nodded. "How about you, Fukutaichoooou?" Fuuko said as she leaned in towards Kaen with a grin on her face. 

[Kaen Youji]

Kaen noticed Fuuko looking him over but ignored it for the moment, focusing on the woman's words. "Good to meet you as well, Satoshi Fuuko." He replied, taking the offered hand for a handshake. "I'm out here by luck as it happens. I got discharged from the Fourth Division, was feeling hungry, and this place just happened to be en route." He answered. "So if I come in here and a lovely lady such as yourself is asking for a drinking partner, I figured I'd oblige you tonight." He replied cheerfully, in an amiable enough sort of tone.

"Normally I would be eating with my officers, but the Seventh is a ways off from here." He added, letting Fuuko take her own drink, before signaling for another round. "Or maybe what?" He asked. Kaen himself was not a heavy drinker, but social to-dos required by his noble status, and both a naturally impressive and well trained constitution meant he could handle his liquor... To an extent anyways. He certainly wasn't going to be drinking Raion under a table anytime soon.

"Well if you say so~ I'm glad to give you that excuse!" He teased again, knocking back his second drink of the night. "Never met one you can't keep up with? Soul King willing I'll be the first, though I'm amazed that Instructor Raion hasn't taken you all out drinking yet himself. Last I heard he was an Academy instructor, and I'd be willing to bet he'd drink the entire Academy under the table." He added, smiling a bit as he felt the kick himself, though was certainly far from out just yet. "Proper match though, huh? And what exactly might this proper match be?"

He continued to smile through her comment about her reasons for being out here and celebrating tonight. "Well, well. So I'm to understand this is a nightly occurrence for you?" He replied cheekily. "But congratulations on your graduation. What division are you going into?" He asked, waiting for Fuuko to finish her next round before signaling for the next. "As for me... Well. Let's say I'm celebrating my release from the Fourth, and making a new acquaintance then, hm?" He offered, holding up his third glass for a toast to Fuuko. And hopefully celebrating a better period in Soul Society's future than the one we just got through. He added in his mind.

[Satoshi Fuuko]

Fuuko waved her hand at Kaen when he said her full name. "Just Fuuko is fine. You aint' the one whose gotta be formal, Fukutaichou." Fuuko explained, even as her eyes widened at the compliment. She knew she looked good and her attire was most certainly by choice. Her ample chest threatened to spill out of her top and her skirt barely covered her bottom. Not that she was trying to pick up the vice-captain, but she certainly didn't mind the attention, especially since she didn't mind shamelessly giving it in return. She looked over his body again, this time paying more attention to the bandages and furrowed her brow in thought. 

She shook her head. "No, it's nothin... I'm grateful yer such a gentleman! Heh!" Fuuko said with a grin. "And we never really crossed paths. I needed ta be a good girl in the Academy, so I kept my distance as best as I could. Thankfully, it worked out, but I'll haveta seek him out one a these days, yeah?" 

Fuuko puckered her lips at Kaen's qquestion about competition. Her eyes fluttered coyly. "Oh? I was just thinkin about drinkin, but if I get ta choose?! Heh! I ain't never been one ta turn down any challenge, but there's definitely a gap in skill and power between us, right? If we were ta have a fight, it wouldn't really be fair, now would  it, Fukutaichou?" Fuuko put her finger on the bar and then her ring finger in front of it and walked her fingers along the bar. "I mean, I'll accept any  challenge, like I said, but.. maybe there's somethin that ain't drinkin that the two of us could compete at with a bit more equal footing?" Fuuko pushed a finger against her full lips and pondered for a moment before laughing and shrugging. "Guess I'll leave it to yer imagination unless ya just wanna whip my ass in a fight! Haha! I promise I'd give ya everything I have, though, no matter what  we're doin!" Fuuko smiled mischievously at Kaen. 

"Hmmmmmmm?" Fuuko ignored the interrogation for a moment and called for another round. "As long as I get my work done..." Fuuko said shyly, "but... thank ya!" Fuuko chirped as the drinks were delivered. "I wasn't sure I was gonna make it outta there, honestly. Sure, there were plenty a places where I kicked ass, but, uh, my talents are a bit specialized!" Fuuko nodded. 

"I'm already a bonified member a Squad 4!" Fuuko chirped, jabbing a finger into her chest. "So, if yer accident prone, we might be seein each other lots! That's a good enough reason as any!" Fuuko raised her glass. "Kanpai!" She said and threw back the drink, closing her eyes and smiling. 

"So..." She said, turning the glass upside down but keeping her eyes closed. "Why are ya all bandaged up? Obviously it wasn't too bad if yer this cheery, but... did ya lose yer badge too, Fukutaichou?" 

Fuuko hummed softly to herself and opened one eye to tak in Kaen's answer. 

[Kaen Youji]

Kaen smirked a little. "Well then same to you. I'm off duty, and unless you're in the Seventh I'm not your lieutenant." He replied in response to her request to call her Fuuko. At the line about him being a gentleman, Kaen laughed. "My family will be thrilled to hear that." He retorted. Sure Kaen could throw the manners on, but "acting like a proper noble" had ever and always been something he'd done only with extreme reluctance, much to the chagrin of his mother and father.

Moving on past the discussion and the offhand comment about Raion, Kaen couldn't help grin again at Fuuko's reaction to his query about a challenge. "Come on now, do you think so little of me~ I wouldn't pick a fight I was guaranteed to win, that takes all the fun out of it. Though I don't dislike a good brawl." He admitted. Her follow-up about competing in something else and leaving it to his imagination, had Kaen offer a light chuckle. "Don't doubt it. You seem the type. You don't seem like you'd half-ass anything. Bad call or good one, you're the sort to commit to it aren't you?" He commented in a half-teasing tone.

So Squad 4, huh? "Kanpai indeed!" Kaen raised his own glass and threw it back along with Fuuko, then slammed it down with a pleased exhalation. "That's good, I should come here more often myself." He stated. "As for the bandages.... Eh, if you're in Squad 4, I'm a regular. I overdo my training... heh. And nah, I got it here~" Kaen reached into the front of his uniform and procured his badge of office. "Force a' habit. I don't wear it on display unless I gotta. There's someone else who deserves to wear this more than I do, I'm just playing catchup." He stated, with a placid smile as if his mind had briefly gone somewhere else. "But in this case, given the whole recent attack and all, I figured I'd take my training up a notch and well.... Eh.... Fractured both my arms and broke a few ribs." He said with an embarrassed chuckle, his face a touch flushed as well from the drink now.

"So it's nice to see there's gonna be another friendly face in my home away from home!" Kaen laughed a bit. "Though you don't seem like the others in Squad 4. You strike me as someone who likes to be in the thick of things. Though there's all kinds in every division. I'm guessing you'll be working towards helping on dispatch a lot aren't you?" He suggested. "But still. Congratulations on your appointment either way! Everyone in Soul Society could use an extra pair of hands keeping them up! Just... probably with less alcohol in both our systems~" He added, as he signaled for the next round.

"And don't worry about budget tonight. You want someone to try to drink you under the table tonight?" Kaen picked up his next drink. "I'm not about to let you say your wallet's an obstacle! And mine can handle it." He smashed back his fourth round and gave another exhale, and a shake of his head. "Hoo... Niiiice."

[Satoshi Fuuko]

"Hnnnnmmm..." Fuko blinked and rubbed her chin at everything the vice-captain said. "It would be weird to call ya Mr. Youji and I don't think that we're close enough fer me ta call ya lil Kaen! Ha!" Fuuko recoiled her arm and then clapped it against Kaen's shoulder. Her other finger wiggled in the air. "I don't know anythin about it, but I'm sure ya wouldn't have the badge if ya didn't deserve it, but I can respect yer decision... hmmmmmm...' Fuuko closed her eyes.

'Kaen.' She said, mulling it over in her head. "I think a fight's a fight and bullyin is buullyin and there's a big difference. I'd be the one pickin the fight and if I get my ass kicked, well, that's on me. You'd just be indulgin me, far as I'm concerned." Fuuko raised an eyebrow. "Or does that hurt yer pride and sensibility too much, givin me what I ask for, hmmm?" Fuuko smirked and coyly traced a finger along the edge of her shihakushou and the skin of her exposed cleavage, then tapped the bar. Her red cheeks brightened up as she called for another drink. "Yer right, I don't half ass nothin." She beamed, proud of herself. "I don't like ta fuck around. Shit or get off the pot, ya know? That's me!"

Fuuko sighed. The attack was something the Academy tried to keep the students away from physically and information-wise. There was no reason to endanger the next generation unless the current one couldn't handle it and if they couldn't... "I was still in the Academy when it happened, so it was a lot of "Hey, don't be a hero." Personally, I can't believe the audacity, but, that's just how I am..." Fuuko wished she could have helped out, but as headstrong as she was, she wasn't stupid. "You know..." Fuuko said, suddenly becoming pensive. "As much as I'd love ta see ya in Squad four, ya ain't really good ta the cause if ya hurt yerself trainin. I mean, no one likes trainin as much a me, but you can only accomplish so much by yerself. I'd hate ta see somethin really happen to ya on the battlefield cause ya pulled a hamstring swingin yer sword at a log." Fuuko's eyes narrowed as the drink was pushed to her. 

"Preciate it!" Fuuko saId after raising her glass and gulping down the drink. "Ahhhhh...nnnnnn....heeee..." Fuuko wiped the trickle of alcohol from her full lips and and then sucked the drop off her finger. She turned, her chest incidentally brushing against Kaen's arm. Fuuko reached out and gently ran a finger along the bandages. "Does it hurt?" She practically whispered. "And no... I ain't like nobody." She corrected. "I don't belong in Squad 4 at all. Heh. Truth is, even if yer a regular cause yer a dummy with yer trainin, we probably won't see each other much. I'm only in the squad cause my brother wanted to be in it. I wanted ta be in Squad 11. That's where a hooligan like me belongs. Other than pushin around dirt with a broom, I'm pretty fuckin useless ta Squad 4. Heh."" Fuuko added with a frown and traced a finger along one of the flipped over empty glasses before callin for another round. She was definitely  "feelin it" at this point. 

[Kaen Youji]

Kaen laughed at Fuuko's comment about his name. "Just because you've got an inch or two on me doesn't let you call me that! But it sounds like you'd be in real trouble if I were another Academy student, if you only know to call another by their rank!" He joked. "But yeah, Kaen's fine. Just 'cause I've earned this badge, doesn't mean there aren't people more deserving of it, I'm just here to keep people who don't deserve it from having it~"

He had no issue listening to her determination of the difference between a fight and bullying and smiled. "Sounds about right~ Well I'd be happy to indulge you anytime then." He said, returning her coy smirk with one of his own. "Doesn't hurt my pride at all. Sounds like it could be fun." He added. Probably was a good thing to come out here tonight, Fuuko seemed a fun drinking partner and a good person for conversation. And brawling was definitely something the two could connect over. Then the conversation took a somber turn, and Kaen stared into his newest drink for a moment.

"Better you missed it. Seriously. Take it from someone who loves a good fight, there's a difference between a fight and.... that." He stated, slower than before. "I'm sure there were lots of heroes. And a lot of people here wishing those heroes had come back home instead." He mused softly for a moment, then tried to shake his head to clear it of those thoughts. "Sorry, didn't mean to bring down the mood. As far as training, I dunno. How do I know I've hit my limit if I can do one more thing? Hit the target one more time? Do one more pushup. Take one more hit. If I can take a hit, and I'm still standing, I'm not at my limit afterall, right? I'll only know I've reached my limit when I've gone past it!" Yep..... That was the mentality of a guy who got hurt in training. A lot. And Kaen was absolutely the kind of person that would insist on walking to the Fourth Division on a broken leg if he had to.

The drinks were clearly getting to Fuuko though, and to Kaen as well. His own cheeks were going rosey, and he was swaying a little in place. He could probably get a few more in him though. Should he though? You kind of had to be responsible with alcohol when you were strong enough to punch through a brick wall, and had the social obligations of nobility thrust upon you. Plus he was a representative of Squad 7... Lots of responsibility. He continued to ponder the glass in front of him as if contemplating if he should keep going. His attention, however, was swiftly diverted by Fuuko brushing against his arm, and then trailing a finger up it. Kaen turned to her with a raised eyebrow, the shadow of the coy smirk from earlier playing about his lips again. "Nah... It doesn't hurt... But what about your limits? Looks like you're starting to hit yours~" He asked, with a slight sway, and a quiet chuckle.

"Y'know... you can always transfer. My squad'd welcome you. And so'd Celes's Squad 10..... And I hear the Captain of the 11th is a student of Celes's.... You'd probably get along with all of 'em." Kaen braced himself against the counter to try and handle his own failing sense of balance. "But.... Squad 4'd not take you either if you didn't have the talent. M'sure you gotta knack f'rit. Or maybe...." Kaen paused as he regathered himself. "M'be y'got talents they really need anyways." He stated, the alcohol clearly affecting him as well.

[Satoshi Fuuko]

Fuuko raised an eyebrow at Kaen's teasing. "You works just fine far as I'm concerned." Fuuko said with a wave of her hand. "It's not like can't learn names either." Fuuko shook her head and called for another drink. "You should be lucky anyway, Kaen. I ain't usually one fer neither formality nor authority." Fuuko thumbed her finger at herself. "I ain't really one fer structure and people tellin me what ta do, ya know? It's just... since I'm here  I guess I gotta play by the rules a little  bit." Fuuko closed her eyes. "But I'm kinda glad we ain't gotta captain or vice-captain." Her tone grew low and soft. "It gives me a lot more freedom ta not be hassled and..." 

Fuuko leaned back with her eyes still closed. "Ahhhh... what does it matter? To you, I'm just some rookie who needs ta be put in her place. If not at work, then at the bar." She said a bit half-heartedly. "Wearin that badge or not, deservin it or not... that doesn't matter. We're worlds apart and we probably will be fer a long time."  She took the drink she was given and downed it. She set it down, but when her hand lifted it was still attached, somehow, so she dropped it and it clanked on the bar and dribbled the last few drops onto it. "I appreciate ya takin pity on me, though, Fukutaichou." She raised her finger and gave it a wiggle as a grin spread across her face. 

"I ain;'t one fer pride. I mean... course I got  it, but.. if someone told me ta get down and bark like a dog, if it could put a smile on Kazu's face, I'd do it in a heartbeat." Fuuko wagged her finger at Kaen. "All that... I can't  transfer. Wherever Kazu goes, I'll be right there. I gotta make sure he's alright. That's why I train but..." Fuuko inhaled and then exhaled, her breath soiled with alcohol. "You ain't never  gonna find yer limits training! Ain't that kinda stupid?" She said, giving him the side eye. 

"Ha! I mean, I'm sure yer smart, but, like, iron sharpens iron. Pressure turns coal inta diamonds and all that shit. You can never put the amount a pressure ya need to reach yer limits. You need outside help. Trainin... is to make sure when the shit hits the fan, you are in good enough shape to punch right through that limit you thought you couldn't!" Fuuko swung with her fist at the air and then sagged, her ample chest plopping onto the bar. Fuuko slid and knocked her chest into Kaen again. Her hand braced herself on his thigh and she leaned in, so her lips were close to her ear. 

"If I keep seein ya in the infirmary, I'm gonna get real pissed off, Fukutaichou. Cause that means I ain't gettin through your thick skull! And... one of these days, I might just be strong enough to make sure ya stay in the infirmary until ya learn yer damn lesson!" 

Fuuko turned and called for another drink but flopped on the bar. "Shit! Shit Shit! What am I doin!? Don't... don't fire me Fukutaichou. Shit.... Fuck... how are ya at rememberin after you get shitfaced huh? Maybe I just let ya win this lil competition and you stumble back to yer barracks and don't remember a fuckin thing I said?" 

Fuuko shook her head. "No.. t-that ain't right!  I just... can't help myself. I was never one fer not tellin people how it is! Fuuuuuck! I... I need another drink..." Fuuko said and waved at the bartender who pointed at the shot that had been sitting there. "Shit..." Fuuko said and reached out for the shot with a shaky hand. 

[Kaen Youji]

Kaen chuckled again at Fuuko's comment about just calling him "You". "Then I'll considered myself honoured~" He teased away, drumming his fingers against the bar, contemplating ordering his next round. "Don't worry about that too much... I'm not usually one for formality either. On occasion, maybe." Yeah, like when dad is lurking over my shoulder with a death glare.... "Still. It's nice to be able to have direction in your division. Never know. If the Captain spot is open, maybe you should work toward it." He suggested.

And when it came to his views on her as a rookie and the gap between them. "Hey. That is definitely not true. You're green, but that's all. Doesn't mean you can't improve. And forget world's apart, that's only in terms of my ability to punch people in the face. There's a lot more to life than that, and I expect there's a lot of subjects you'd school me in." Urp... "If you're still up for example.... Our tolerance for alcohol.... certainly isn't world's apart." He commented, with another sway, catching and balancing himself.

But this discussion Kaen had finally gained what he was looking for. Her motivation. "Goooot it. So you're in this to watch out for this Kazu, huh? Heh... Well you've got an uphill battle then. Protectors have to work twice as hard as everyone else afterall. A protector's gotta look out for themselves as well as whoever they're protecting. And you're not allowed to falter in front of 'em either, lest they worry and try to protect you." He mused. "It's a tough path." Then he grinned. "And the most worthwhile one."

And now the conversation was about him, apparently. Kaen raised an eyebrow as she criticized him, but paused in his response as Fuuko slid into him. A red flush crossed his cheeks as she whispered in his ear. Kaen was quiet for a moment, unsure how to respond to the situation... Up until Fuuko started to freak out, and Kaen laughed at her display. "Fire you? Why the hell would I do that? Some patients need that kind of treatment!" He laughed. "I don't remember how good I am at remembering.... stuff. When I drink too much. I don't do it often." He murmured, looking over at the flopped over Fuuko.

"Besides...." The bartender approached and Kaen gestured to Fuuko, but shook his head when he was offered the next round. "I don't think it's smart for me to drink any more.... Like.... maybe I could do a few more rounds... But I gotta represent the squad.... And besides. I don't think it's a good idea for me to get tooooo drunk." He admitted, stabilizing himself on the bar. A level of responsibility came with being strong enough to throw an person through a building, and "getting so drunk you might actually do that" was definitely not part of that responsibility. "So.... You win this one. Good job Fuuko..." He murmured. "But I think you're gonna be a great Shinigami...." He added, dizzily.

[Satoshi Fuuko]

"Yer damn right!" Fuuko said, grinning at the vice-captain. Fuuko then paused, pursed her lips. "Yeah, I don't think we got one, probably why they let a whole herd of us in." She looked at the bar pensively. "Fukutaicho..." She said quietly. "From the second I got to the academy, that's all that's been on my mind. I have to be strong enough to protect everyone, but especially my little brother." Fuuko closed her eyes. "When all is said and done, I don't really care what happens to me. I mean, I ain't gonna go an die, cause that'll make Kazu sad. But... if it's me or him, well, that ain't really a choice, now is it." 

Fuuko exhaled. "Shit... this is depressing." She called for her shot and another as well, since Kaen seemed to be tapping out. "I ain't even got my shikai and here I am bein all ambitious! Fuuuck!" Fuuko exhaled. "But, I mean, if I get to a captain spot before you do, you know yer never gonna hear the end of it from me, right?" Fuuko grinned. "The teasin will be unmerciful, so whatever shit you got, you should figure it our sooner rather than later." 

Fuuko took both shots and downed them in rapid succession. Her eyes blinked rapidly and she wobbled in place, leaning against Kaen. "Heh... heeeee... I beat yoooou!" She raised her arms uo in the air. "Yataaaaa! I win!" She then flopped to the side, nearly falling out of her chair, but managed to clamp a hand on Kaen's shoulder and swing herself so she was leaning against his back. "Fukutaichou..." She muttered. "You said I win, so you can't take it back now." She said, slowly wrapping her arms around him and nuzzling her face into the back of his neck. 

"I ain't gonna stick 'round ta whoop the rest a these losers, so, I might as well go ta bed if you are, right? Heeee..." She grinned and then exhaled hotly, her head drooping into the crane of Kaen's shoulder and neck. "Fukutaichou..." She groaned. "Wh-What was it like?" She asked. "H-How will I know when I'm ready? All I can think about it when I'll finally have a real swor, but I haven't heard a peep out of it yet... What does it feel like? What should I be looking for, huuuuuuuuuh?"

[Kaen Youji]

Kaen gave a quiet chuckle. "Then you gotta work your ass off so that neither of you die. Sounds like you care about him... but he also cares 'bout you. Y'might not care what hppns t'ya, but he does. You know the heartache you'd feel if something happened to him. Don't be so careless about inflicting that same kinda pain on him." Kaen cautioned, albeit his message was slightly weakened by the slightly innebriated slurring that slipped into his voice here and there.

"But if you want Captain, yer funeral. Paperwork's a nightmare even as a third seat, let alone a Vice Captain...." Kaen sighed and looked at his empty glass. "I didn't want this position. But someone I care about, admire and look up to held it before me. I'm not letting some upstart that doesn't deserve it take this title and ruin it." He stated. "You know you more than just admire her, don't you boy." "You shut up old man. "....Same goes for the Captaincy spot." He grumbled out. "I know I can't wait f'her to come back forever...." He added somberly.

He was glad to be pushed out of his despondency by Fuuko's celebration of winning, and then using him for support. The girl clearly had zero issues of personal boundaries, but with Kaen as unbalanced as he was too, he had to brace himself and nearly fell off his seat when Fuuko used him for support. "Ooof! C-careful!" He exclaimed. "You got the win, yeah. Take it if you wanna." He said, thrown by her clinging to him and burrowing her face into the back of his neck.

"Eeeyeah, I should... thinka goin' too.... Family'd kill me if they saw m'like this..." He murmured. "As for wakin' up yer Zan.... Be grateful it's not yammerin your ear off and putting all kindsa poisonous thoughts in your head." He muttered. "I got saddled with ths' old geezer who's got way too m'ny vices." "I object to that! One of us needs to have more of a personality besides training and fighting and being oblivious about your own feelings!" "If by "more of a personality" you mean "try to encourage me to chase every woman I lay eyes on!" Don't you go talking to me about my feelings like that when you're the one trying to subvert them!" This mental argument was invisible to Fuuko and Kaen just sighed.

"Annoyance with my own spirit aside though, it's different for every Shinigami. Can almost guarantee though, at some point, yer sword will get on your nerves." He grumbled again.

[Satoshi Fuuko]

"I think about it." Fuuko said solemnly. "I try not ta, but I do." She admitted and sighed. "I am who i am, though. I can't help but throw myself into the fire. It's... always been my nature. I don't feel alive if I'm not bein licked by the flames..." Fuuko's head drooped. She was feeling tired. the somber tone of the conversation not helping.

Fuuko reached out and grabbed the bar. She steadied herself and then pushed one foot into the back of Kaen's knee and then pushed up, so she was completel6y draped across his choulders, riding him piggyback style. Her head drooped and their cheeks nearly touched. "Well.. yoooou get to take me home, loser." She whispered the last part and giggled. "I mean... as long as you get me to a bed, I don't really care who it belongs too..." Fuuko chuckled, her head turned so her lips were close to brushing up against Kaen's. Her arms and legs wrapped around him and one of her hands inadvertently slid underneath the hem of his shihakusou. Aside from the almost casual groping, there was no denying Fuuko's ample chest was pressed well against his upper back, shoulders and neck as well.

"I won't... I won't get you in trouble, Kaen... I promise~" Fuuko breathed. She then closed her eyes "I'm... a little scared." She admitted suddenly, regarding her zanpakutou spirit. "I'm scared I might not ever hear that voice... as annoying as it might be. What if I'm all bluster?" Fuuko shook her head. 'Or... what if people see who I really am? What if I end up being useless? I can handle annoying... I'm... I'm pretty annoying..." Fuuko lamented before her head drooped completely and she her eyes sagged. She yawned and pulled one arm up and stuffed it between her breasts and pulled out some money. She let it drop wherver it dropped and hoped it was the bar. 

"I think you said you would get it!" Fuuko said. "But... nnnn... I can't look bad in front of a Vice-Captain, now can I!? Nnnngh..." 

[Kaen Youji]

Kaen shrugged a little, supporting himself on the bar. "Thn better get started becomin' fireproof." He mumbled. He inhaled deeply to try to keep focused, and trying not to let the liquor overwhelm him. "Cuz from the sounds of things, you're not allowed to do that to your brother, if he's not allowed to do it to you." Kaen moved to start to stand up, but Fuuko kept hold of him, causing him to brace against the bar instead.

As far as taking her back to the barracks, Kaen gave a sluggish nod. "Mmm. Fair enough." He muttered. "Fresh air'll get my head back straight 'nyways." He was proving resistant to Fuuko's advances, though he had an embarrassed blush on his cheeks, with just how close she was getting. "Just let me get my.... bearings..." He mumbled again, as he summoned up his strength to lift himself off the bar stool without falling down, supporting Fuuko with his other arm. For a guy that could bench press a building, his body was feeling way heavier than usual.

As he was getting up, he listened to Fuuko and shook his head. "Don't be. You got time. A lot of time. Think it was somethin' like 30 or 40 years before the old geezer strted talkin' to me." He told her. "N'some Shinigami it's longer thn' that. Y'got a long time t'work 'n this Fuuko." Kaen stated. "Cap'n Commander's s'pposed t'be something like a thousand or more, afterall. Shinigami live a long time if you're smart enough not to get killed." He advised, finally able to put one foot in front of the other.

He saw Fuuko pay and shrug. "Really... wasn't gonna be a problem.... I'll... cover mine then." Kaen added, reading inside his shihakusho to pull out sufficient funds for his own bill, and putting it on the bar counter, plus a generous tip. "You... watch your funds. Y'gotta watch 'em sharper than I do..." He stated as he started heading for the door of the bar while supporting the Fourth Division officer. Alright, first two steps were hard, but the third was a tiny bit easier. He could do this. He wasn't about to throw out the humble bragging or throw out his Noble status at this juncture-- it seemed like Fuuko was currently unaware, and he was fine keeping it that way. If Fuuko wanted to cover her bill, that was that.

All that left then, was Kaen managing to keep his head enough not to get lost.

[Kitai Yoru]

30% social bonus awarded to both players.