Strange Meeting (Closed/Social/Hotaru and Takashi)

[Hotaru Kuchiki-Masurao]

Hotaru Kuchiki was in her shared room in the barracks of Squad Eleven. She was doing a little bit of stretching in her room, since she woke up a bit sore. She performed some of the cool down stretches she did after any spar or training and it seemed to help. She then gathered a lot of the paper work she had been working on for the past few days. It was only her recent activities and some reports that she was asked to fill out. But, it was the location that had her the most surprised.

Ever since she arrived to the squad, she had been doing reports and logging activity in the squad for her Captain and, in turn, for Takashi Kuchiki, her Vice Captain. It was pretty ironic when she decided to switch squads that he was already the Vice Captain. But, she took her duties seriously and she had quite a lot of paperwork to collect. Yesterday, while walking through the squad, she had run into him, saying to collect all her paper work and meet her at the Red Lantern Bar. She nodded her head in agreement and went to her shared room.

She then proceeded to ask the other seated officers if they knew where this place was. Then, they quickly showed her where it was and she watched them all drink a little too much. After helping them back to the barracks, she had started collecting her paperwork. Thankfully, she had a binder to put all the paperwork in. Now, this morning, she was putting the last pieces of her paperwork into the binder. The binder itself was pretty much to the point of exploding. She managed to keep it all contained and walked towards the destination.

She found the bar fairly easily. Since she had already been there, she knew how to get there. When she arrived inside, she picked a table that was a little more secluded, just in case they needed to talk about actual squad business. She did order some sushi to munch on, she hadn't eaten yet that day. When she finished off the sushi, she looked up and saw Takashi walking towards her. Once he arrived, she nodded to him to sit down. "Hello, Takashi-san. I brought the paperwork that you requested. Why did you want to meet here, if you don't mind me asking?" She then pushed the almost exploding binder in his direction.

[Takashi Kuchiki]

The Red Lantern Bar. There were a great deal of drunks that were present. Walking into the area, you would find yourself a great many stools and seats. There, many people would sit and converse, drinking alcohol as they pleased. To the back however, there was more private settings for guests whom could afford it; or had the ranking or status. Kuchiki Takashi made his way towards a table where he had spotted the woman he had called for, the third seat of the 11th division, Hotaru Kuchiki. The nobility wasn't accustom to places such as this, however, Takashi was indeed an exception to upbringing. With one hand in his pocket, the other hanging out, he was wearing a white and red academy uniform. The shinigami's hair was tied back with a black piece of strong.

Takashi's eyes were as bored as ever as they looked towards Hotaru. She was far too eager as she asked him to sit and shoved the paperwork towards him. The slapping of slippers upon the wooden tile was heard by Hotaru; increasing ever so slightly as the Vice Captain approached. A moment later it stopped, as he stood in front of her. He didn't say much as his crystal like eyes looked towards her. Instead he simply gave her a, "Come with me". With that, he turned around and began walking towards the back. Many people gave looks to Hotaru, wearing a shinigami uniform. They paid some attention to Takashi, but not very much. In any case, a woman bowed to Takashi as he entered a separate room in the back. He returned the bow and continued walking until they reached the end of the hall. A woman placed her hand against the wooden sliding door and slid it open. She bowed and Takashi slightly bowed back.

Taking off his slippers, he entered the room which was carpeted. There was a circular table in the middle and drinks that one could pour on it. The shinigami made his way towards the right of the table. Resting on his knees he sat down. Placing his hands on his knees he simply blinked once. He turned towards Hotaru and waited for her to come sit. If she so chose to, he would ask her for her to sit down and present her paper work. If she did, he would simply scroll through it very rapidly before closing it and setting it to the side. He looked towards her and began.

"Why do you think I have asked you here?"

He questioned. After hear her answer, he would respond with.

"It is only a social matter of getting to know the subordinates of the 11th. I simply wished to know your ideals on a small few matters. As the third seat, I look you for delegating other tasks. As the captain looks to me as his lieutenant, you are the one whom I consider the junior lieutenant. Now, what do you think of hollow?".

The question had no other explanation to it then that.

[Hotaru Kuchiki-Masurao]

When Takashi walked in, Hotaru almost couldn't recognize him. He wore his hair back with a piece of string and was wearing an academy uniform. He walked in fairly casually, and seemed actually comfortable in this setting. He seemed so stiff to her, but here, it was different. Once he came to the table she picked out, he told her to come with him. Obviously he didn't like her choice of table.

Well, he should've showed up first is what she was thinking, but of course she would never say that. She got up and followed Takashi towards the back. She hadn't really thought about going to the back, because before she joined the family, even from her upbringing, she never really went into the back of a place like this. Actually, she never really went into one.

But, as they were walking down the corridor, she knows why he wanted to come to the back. It was definitely more secluded than the table she picked. They walked down to the end of the hall. The woman that was leading them stopped and opened one of the wooden sliding doors for them. Once Hotaru walked in, she shut the door behind them. Since she didn't wear shoes, she didn't have any to take off, but she did tap her feet to get most of the dirt off.

The carpet felt nice as she walked towards the only table in the room. She walked to the side opposite of Takashi and sat down on the pillow, straightening her uniform as she did so. When she did, she pushed her binder towards him, and waited for him to look through her paperwork. When he was finished looking through her paperwork, he asked her why did she think he asked her here.

"Well, you are the Vice Captain. So, there could be any number of reasons. It could be just to talk or you could have been ordered by Iro-taichou to talk to me because of unsatisfactory behavior. I highly doubt it is the last reason however." He then told her that it is only for social matters, to get to know his subordinates of the Eleventh Squad, which she was trying to do. He wanted to know her ideals on a few things and since she was 3rd seat, he looks to her for delegating other tasks.

He then said that as Iro-taichou looks to him as lieutenant, he looks to her as a junior lieutenant. He then asked her what she thought of hollows. "Well, I believe that hollows are the poor souls that shinigami are unable to save. Their anger turns them into the hollows we see that are full of the anger of not being saved. We patrol for them because in their rage, they attack the innocent, which we can't allow."

[Takashi Kuchiki]

Takashi poured himself a small tea cup of the hot green tea. He set the large porcelain pot a moment later. He closed his eyes to attempt to hear or sense anything. It was only a moment, but his bored eyes opened once more. Puling the tea cup closer to himself, he let it cool as the steam emitted from it. Sitting in traditional attire, he looked towards Hotaru; blankly as ever. He inspected how she sat across from him. Truthfully, he listened little to what she had said. The last part seemed to tell him all he wanted to know really; Sozen had really gotten to her. The way she spoke, the way she acted all were indications that she too had undergone training. It was obvious for the Vice Captain to deduce anyway. The woman was specifically made by Sozen in order further his goals. Takashi hadn't told her about his involvement yet, but perhaps Sozen had. In any case, he wouldn't let anything show on his face.

"I see". He said as he placed his finger around the tea cup and began to sip it. He placed it down a moment later before looking towards her. It seemed no one was around, he had checked the perimeter earlier as well. He let the silence in the air hang as he waited a moment before speaking. "I will not waste your time. Sozen has a purpose for you I assume. I do not know what, but I speculate by the way you seem that you are training for something for him.". Takashi simply looked towards her. Training like that Hotaru was undergoing would be very rigorous on her body. Sozen was someone who was ruthless and would do anything to overpower people. It seemed now that he had a way of transforming others into Kuchiki..that it was getting out of hand.

"Do you know the nature of the Gotei 13 and the Clans?". He didn't let her answer. "I will tell you. The clans such as the Shiba, Kuchiki, Kwanada, and the Kasumi'Oji are noble families. However, within these families are feuds; they fight all amongst themselves. Kwanda have been shamed by the Kuchiki, their pride taken from them because of Sozen; enslaved one could say. Others strive for greatness, even having their own assassination squads. I believe you can see the difficulty of this matter. I have come to a conclusion as of recent...soul society is deeply controlled by these Clans. Their corruption and cause to become greater sully the court of 'pure' souls. The most corrupt of all...are the other Kuchikii and the Kwanda. This is due to their generational feud.". Takashi stopped speaking to take another sip of his tea. "Hotaru, what would you do in this situation?". He questioned her.

[Hotaru Kuchiki-Masurao]

Takashi poured himself a cup of tea while she answered his questions. Honestly, every time she answered a question from this man, she felt like that he was really only half listening to what she was saying. It was like he was just listening for a few key words in her answers and then latched onto those and went from there. Once he had set the tea pot down, however, she grabbed if off of the table.

She was getting a little thirsty too. She took a tea cup in her hand and poured herself some tea, making sure not to spill a drop. She then replaced the tea pot where it was and blew on her tea before she herself took a sip. Once she did, she had to admit that this place served some fairly good tea. Though, when she looked at Takashi, he seemed a little bit different than before. She had always wondered when she was down in that hole if Sozen trained anyone else. He obviously did.

Takashi then said I see, pretty much letting her know that she had said at least a few words that had caught his interest in the matter. There was a little bit of silence in the room and she took the time to take another sip of her tea. It was quite tasty, but she was now starting to get hungry. But, she would wait to ask that after Takashi got things off of his chest. He looked at her and said that he wouldn't waste her time and he assumed Sozen has a purpose for her. He was right about that. He then guessed that she was training for something for him. He was right again.

It seemed that he could read her body language better than she could with his. He then started talking pretty quickly, actually the quickest she had ever heard him talk to her. He went into detail about the Gotei 13 and the clans within Soul Society. He said that within the noble families are feuds, fighting amongst themselves. He explained how the Kwanda was shamed by their head, Sozen, by having their pride taken away.

When he mentioned that others strived for greatness with their own assassination squads, she kept her face blank. But inside her mind, she hoped that he had no idea that she was being trained to be part of one of the squads she just mentioned. Takashi came to the conclusion that Soul Society is controlled by the noble families, causing corruption and greater 'sully' to the court of pure souls. He believes that the most corrupt are Kwanda and other Kuchikis.

He continued, saying that it was due to these two families' feud that they are the most corrupt. He then asked her what she thought of the situation. She thought it over and what he was saying did have a little bit of truth to it. "Now that you mention something, the squads have at least three squads commanded by our fellow brethren. It's not as equaled out as it should be. I can see where you get your ideas from. I will agree that not one family should have so much control over the squads, but also, no one out of their respective squads have taken enough initiative to actually take the captaincy away from them. I do believe that there is corruption in Soul Society, especially in the families, but you also need other shinigami willing to challenge the families and take the squads for themselves. Also, is there any way we can order some food? I'm starting to get a little hungry."

[Takashi Kuchiki]

The shinigami listened to what his third seat had to say. It seemed she was hungry, though she had some good input before that. Takashi looked at her lazily. He grasped his cup of tea that he set down earlier. the man raised the cup to his lips and wrapped them around the edge. He lifted the cup and tasted the sweet sensation of green tea. He blinked as he set the cup down and looked towards Hotaru. "I see. I believe there are wheels turning in Soul Society beyond our own comprehension Hotaru-kun. I would be weary and distrusting of everyone. I'm unsure...but my suspicions grow. There are many things of which go unnoticed within soul society. I believe we should keep watch upon these happenings in the shadows. It would appear you have been trained to do so". Takashi could obviously deduce it by knowing Sozen would give the same training he offered Takashi to Hotaru.

It was rather obvious by the marks on her body. Not to mention, Sozen had told him a great deal about his division of assassins; the man trusted Takashi. It was interesting that he would trust him enough to show him his...devious side. In any case, that and a few other things worried Takashi. The shinigami then waited a moment before speaking again. "If you wish to eat, then please exit through your left. You will find a woman at the end of the hall. Order whatever you would like without worry of monetary confinement". This was essentially Takashi's way of saying he would pay for the meal. He closed his eyes, once again grasping the cup and then sipping it again. While she left, he opened the file again and began reading it. If she came back he would close her file and then ask her more direct questions.

"Of your file, there are gaps in this period. You speak of going to different locations but the reasoning here seems...odd to me. Hotaru...". Takashi closed the file and placed it down. "It is illegal for us to be associating with even Asmoskon. As such, I keep distance from the Quincy and other race. I'd like to hear your thoughts upon this matter.". He spoke as he looked towards her, blinking slightly. He wanted to know more about her and things of that nature. It was because he could assess the mental state of his third seat. Iro had trained Takashi, tested him ruthlessly. As such, the natural 'successor' (should anything happen to him) should be as capable.

(OOC: This takes place before Asmoskon thread we have currently)

[Hotaru Kuchiki-Masurao]

She watched Takashi look at her in his normal lazy gaze. But, she noticed that she might have actually piqued the man's interest. She was always trying to figure out this man's mannerisms. Since he never really showed emotion, besides squinting his eyes, she tried to read his body language better. But, if she was right, she had definitely piqued his interest based off what she said.

He then told her that he believes that wheels are turning in Soul Society that is beyond their comprehension. He is weary and distrusting of everyone, with suspicions growing. He thinks that they should watch in the shadows what normally would go unnoticed by other in Soul Society. When he added it would appear she's been trained to do so, it surprised her somewhat. She thought only Sozen-sama knew the identities of his assassins. Unless Takashi was now among the ranks of the assassins. It made sense if he was.

No matter, the next thing he did was tell her how to order some food. He then added with fancy words that she didn't have to pay. All the better for her. She bowed to him, showing thanks while she walked out the designated door. She reached the woman and asked if she could have a bowl of pork ramen and two rice balls. The woman left to place her order, saying that it would be delivered to their room when it was ready.

She went back into the room and took her seat again. It seemed like Takashi was reading over her reports. She started to sip on her tea when he started to ask about her reports. He mentioned gaps, which she figured he would notice, and said that the reasoning is odd. He then looked her straight in the face and said that it was illegal to associate with Asmoskon. She knew that and it hurt her. He continued saying that he keeps his distance from Quincy and the other races. He wanted her thoughts on the matter.

She took another sip of her tea while she thought on how to respond to him. She had made friends with people from the other races and she was pretty sure that no one else knew about it. He was trusting her with his thoughts, and she would do the same with him. "Well, as long as this doesn't go beyond us, I have met with people from the other races. I have only attacked them if they posed a threat to me or any innocent souls nearby. If they haven't, I have actually talked with them. It has been interesting, talking to people of the other races. I know Arrancar, a Fullbringer, Quincy and a Mod Soul. The Mod Soul tried to fight me, but I bested him easily. After that, he got a little weird, but I can't blame him after all we did to their race.

So, to really answer your question, I put my duty as a shinigami and to protect the Human World from hollows priority over everything else. Only after I have destroyed the hollows in the area or have been on patrol would I even think to stop my work to talk. Ah, that must be the food." She heard a knock on the door while she was answering her Fukataichou. They knocked on the same door she left through. She walked over, opened the door slightly, accepted the food and shut the door back.

She then quickly sat down and start to eat her rice balls while her ramen cooled. "Would you like a rice ball, Takashi-fukataichou? I ordered an extra just in case you might be hungry as well." She looked towards him, waiting for him to answer. It was weird how their relationship started and how it was now. She was curious if it would change anymore.