#ukitake taicho

[seireiteihellbutterfly]

The Dragon's Mate

A/N: Written for @nanamiscocksleeve's Monster Mash event. I miss him. Like physically miss him. My first fictional love. I lost Nanami last year and now Ukitake. Make the pain stop. Pairing: water dragon! Ukitake x Fem! Reader Warnings: MDNI, shapeshifters, monster love, concept of mates, sex Word Count: 3.7k

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The rivers were protected by fearsome guardians, you were told. Terrifying beasts with wild eyes and teeth that were as long as your fingers and could rip your body into shreds if you weren’t careful. They were territorial beings and did not enjoy human company. You were taught to never wander to the riverbank before the sun was at least more than midway into the sky, and to never go after dusk, for that was when the monsters would come out of their watery abodes to survey the mortal beings on land, gobbling up the ones foolish enough to approach.

You followed the rules staunchly but what the people hadn’t accounted for was the ethereal music that only you could hear. It floated into your ears just before sunrise, a sad and longing tune that made you yearn to meet whatever was producing the beautiful sound. One day, you quietly slip out and follow the melody. It seemed to resonate in your heart, pulling you forward in a predetermined path until you realized where you were headed. The riverbank loomed through the mist of the early dawn, and it sounded like the music was coming from its depths. You should have been more wary; you knew better, but the overwhelming curiosity pulled you like a magnet until you stood at the very edge, looking at your reflection in the watery depths. The surface looked still, not even a fish visible beneath it; it seemed almost laughable that a monstrous creature lived here. It took a moment for you to register that the music had stopped. Not even the sound of the small morning birds could be heard.

You glance back at the water and see the water rippling, then stare transfixed, as a pair of green eyes observe you from under the surface. They were beautiful, like a pair of lost emeralds that were being recovered from a treasure trove that no man could swim to. You should have been scared but you can’t bring yourself to look away as the submerged eyes begin to rise, part of a face with a long snout that had slits for nostrils, the scales all shining in shades of cerulean and seafoam green. The head of the dragon is enormous, at least the size of two cottages pushed together, and it gives way to a long, flexible body, the front legs clawed like a tiger’s. You see the tail emerge some feet away from the edge of the river bank, pointed and thin. 

The dragon towers over you yet all the muscles in your body root you to the spot. You can’t tell if it’s from fear or fascination. There’s a keen interest in the dragon’s eyes, a fine ring of amber fading to black surrounding its enchanting irises. As it moves closer to you with the elegance of a crane taking flight into the sky, you can feel its breath on your face. Now a small lick of dread enters your stomach. Was this the last thing you’d see before being swallowed whole by that enormous maw?

However, to your surprise, the creature draws closer to you, its chin now resting on your shoulder, almost like it was smelling you. Was human scent particularly delicious to dragons? Your eyes squeeze closed as you wait for the inevitable. The dragon leans back, its scales glittering from the water on its body, considering, then rests its snout against your forehead. Your eyes crack open a fraction, not daring to move, lest those teeth rip you open from a careless movement. You dare to look up and hold its gaze once more.

The tender look in the dragon’s eyes takes your breath away, and then before you can process what’s happening, its scaly body wraps around you and plunges you under the water. The chill hits your bones, and you open your mouth to scream but all that issues are streams of bubbles. You choke, feeling water fill your lungs, and it sears your flesh, and you are certain the last thing you will see are those mesmerizing emerald eyes. 

Something slick enters your mouth, and it takes a second to realize it’s the dragon’s tongue. Your body jerks in shock as you fight for air, the sensual appendage sliding across your tongue like a lover’s kiss, and suddenly, your body stops resisting, allowing it to do as it pleases. You suddenly realize you’re able to breathe. Your vision, so blurry moments before is now crystal clear, and as the dragon’s smooth tongue slips out of your mouth, you gape at it. It didn’t look like it wanted to eat you, but instead, it grasped your hand in one of its front feet and started to swim toward the dark depths of the river. You had no choice really, but there’s relief in the knowledge that you weren’t going to drown. 

Time passes by and you enter a world of aquatic beauty, small little river plants coming into view as you swim alongside the serene creature, little fish darting here and there, occasionally spotting larger catfish and salamanders, the river silt kicking up at their movements and clouding the water as they darted away. The world here was eerily silent, just swooshes of liquid passing by, weak sunlight passing into the unknown.  You steal glances at the dragon next to you, and can’t feel like there’s a strange connection, like there was a reason it had called you to the river.

Eventually, to your astonishment, a large mansion blooms into view through the murky water, and the sheer size is a vision. The dragon smoothly swims in between the large marble columns at the entrance and once inside, settles you down on the floor. The interior of the mansion appeared to be in an air pocket because there was no water there; it was dry, like being on land. Adjusting to the friction after being weightless in the water was strange and you crouch, trying to reorient your senses. 

“Where am I?” You ask no one in particular because you were sure that dragons couldn’t speak. 

“I thought you’d never ask,” a deep male voice responds and you jump, turning with a yelp and see the dragon morphing in front of your eyes, shrinking, the tail and claws disappearing, until a tall, leanly muscled man stood before you, his yukata made of shimmering material similar to the dragon’s scales, his long white hair flowing down his back. The sharp emerald eyes you’d become familiar with gaze at you. 

You retreat a few paces, your back coming into contact with the wall. “Who- Who are you?!” Your voice trembles as you take in the handsome man now standing on two legs, his limbs looking quite pedestrian without their talons. The man chuckles at your shock.

“All in good time. But for now, let’s have some tea and snacks. You’ve had a long journey.” He vanishes through an archway and, after pinching your cheek to ensure you weren’t dreaming, you follow him, your footsteps echoing off the high ceiling. You find him in the kitchen where he’s expertly handling a kettle, the pleasant scent of mint lingering in the air. A platter of sweets rests on a simple table near a window. You peek outside and see nothing but water, turtles and snails lazily gliding by. 

“Aren’t we still underwater?” you ask as the man brings over the kettle and two mugs on a tray to the table. 

“We are. My place happens to be an oddity.” He pours the tea and offers you the cup. You look at it warily until he sips from his own. “I promise I haven’t brought you here to poison you. Now please drink. I imagine there’s much you want to ask me and you’ve had a long day.”

You clutch the mug for comfort and sip, relishing the taste of the strongly brewed tea. “Who are you? And why didn’t you eat me? All the stories said that dragons never spared humans who came too close to the river.”

“And how many of your stories said that dragons have a human form?” He smiles kindly at your thoughtful expression. “To answer your questions. My name is Ukitake Jushiro. This is my residence. As to why I brought you here well. It’s a rather complex story and I’m wondering how to explain it without making it a long-winded tale. Where to begin, where to begin…” He sips his tea and looks directly at you, and for the first time, you notice how attractive he is despite being an older man, the pleasant curve of his lips inviting and soft. 

His eyes gaze outside his window, watching a monitor lizard dart through the water, its tail smoothly flicking to propel it forward. “Dragons only find a mate once every several centuries. And once they are born, we spend our entire lives waiting for them to hear our music. When they do, they become part of the river, just like us. And our mates are not always dragons.” He leans back in his chair and sips his tea, waiting for you to process the information he’s given you. Your eyes flicker in astonishment at his revelation. 

“Wait. So it was you. You were the source of the music.”

He nods, looking at you tenderly. “It was. Despite you being born nearly 2 decades ago, my music didn’t reach you until just a few weeks ago. I was hoping you’d be brave enough to approach the river soon.”

“And you said…only a dragon’s mate could hear their music?”

“That is correct.” He looks at you expectantly and you feel an epiphany strike you. 

“I’m your mate?” You push away from the table, shocked, and begin to pace. “ That can’t be right. It just can’t be.”

He seems remarkably patient with your reaction and lets you wander around, then when you finally come back to the table, you look at him warily. “Dragons eat people. How can a human be a dragon’s mate?”

Ukitake shakes his head, chuckling. “My dear, you humans always assume the worst.”

“But so many people went missing over the years! Pulled into the water and never to be seen again!”

“All women. All mates to various dragons that inhabit the waters of this region. I assure you all the women that were taken are in good health, living happily with their respective mates.” 

“But-but-“ you sputter, suddenly unable to form words. “Why live in secrecy? Why not just seek out your mate?”

“Humans are greedy. And who would willingly give away their daughter to a creature that lives so far away from the surface? Humans took things from us in the far past. Our lives are best lived in secrecy, stealing our mates whenever we get a chance. I suppose I’m lucky. Many sing, echoing their melodies of longing, but their mates are too afraid to approach the water. They live and die alone.”

His words are like an arrow in your heart and you feel for him. Several centuries alone sounded truly awful. “But…how does a human become part of this world? How do they adjust to life under the water?”

Ukitake’s expression softens. “To truly claim a mate so that she will survive underwater is a simple act in its essence but it’s the emotional depth that truly ensures she will thrive here.” He sets down his cup and looks at you intently. “We would need to consummate our relationship so that the water bond becomes part of you. It will flow from my body into yours and then, you will truly belong here.”

Your eyes bulge at the mention of the word “consummate”. “I’m sorry, what?” The color rises in your cheeks and you avert your eyes, unable to look at the brilliant green orbs gazing at you with the keenness of a falcon that had spotted its prey. You had been with men before, you knew what happened but this…was he truly a man or a beast?

“I am both.” He answers as though he heard your question float out of your head. “I belong to an ancient clan of dragons who once roamed the earth in human form until the real humans discovered our secret. I assure you we don’t engage in such activities in that form.” His smile is kind but amused, and it does nothing to ease your flustered state.

“I wasn’t thinking about that! It’s just…this is so sudden. I was on land a few hours ago and now I’m the mate of a dragon!?” You put a hand on your forehead, trying to calm down. 

“I understand how overwhelming this can be. And I want you to know that if this truly isn’t what you want I’ll take you back to the surface.” His words are said calmly, and you feel your panic lessen. 

“I beg your pardon?”

“I’d never keep you here against your will. If you don’t want to stay here I can’t force you. Although, it should be noted that all the women who disappeared never went back to the surface. They remained here on their own volition.”

You considered his words and your curiosity piqued. “I would assume they were happier here than up there.”

“Perhaps. Being a dragon’s mate is a blessing after all. You’re rare my dear. One of a kind.” You take a long look at him, observing the handsome features; the long straight nose, the kind eyes, the smooth firmness of his lips, and the way his broad shoulders curved and led into a solid, masculine chest. You were his mate. 

The words sink into you, tugging at your feelings. You hadn’t considered such things. People found other people, they married, and eventually started families. The word mate somehow carried more weight, more meaning, knowing you had come into this world, not alone, but with someone waiting for your existence. You recall the haunting notes of his music that had called you earlier and you feel a pull inside your chest, like your heart was begging for the connection. 

“And if I choose to remain here…How long can I be here before the water bond becomes a necessity?”

“A few hours at most. The kiss I gave you earlier provides a temporary bond but it doesn’t last long.”

You remembered the smooth slip of his dragon tongue against yours and now that you weren’t fighting for your life, you recall how soft and tender it was, the way he’d known how to hold you and ensure you weren’t thrashing and falling to your doom. “And if I accept to be your mate?”

Ukitake’s eyes grow brighter at the words. “The water bond ensures you’ll live as long as a dragon does. And I know it must seem dull to spend your life in this residence in the river but my dear, I am a water dragon. All bodies of water are available to us. We can escape wherever we want to, as long as there’s a major water body nearby. Lakes, oceans, seas…anywhere. And we can venture onto land if you wish. All the adventures in the world will be at your feet. And you will be the sole object of my love and desires.”

He gets up from his end of the table and walks over to you, kneeling in front of you and taking your hand. “Dragons love obsessively. It makes sense since we only get one mate and often wait centuries for them.” His thumb runs over yours, as though he’s trying to memorize the feel of your skin. “And I’d be yours just as equally. To love, to command, and to simply be.” The quiet conviction with which he says the words have your heart pounding in your chest. 

You’re drawn to him, and the way he looks at you now, like he’d move heaven and earth for you, was making you yearn. His hands move to cup your face, his thumbs stroking your cheeks, then softly brushing against your lower lip. 

Heat gathers under your skin as your eyes flutter closed, savoring his touch, so comforting and gentle. The pull between you two was magnetic and you yielded to the overwhelming desire building inside you. Leaning towards his kneeling form, you lay your lips over his. The soft sigh that leaves him is addicting and your hands card through his long white tresses, which pass like silk between your fingers. He tasted like rain, his mouth firm and the kiss relatively chaste. He draws back, gazing lovingly at you then scoops you up in his arms before walking out of the kitchen. You don’t resist him, allowing yourself the giddy pleasure of being carried like this, cradled against his chest like precious cargo as he walks to his bedroom. 

He deposits you on the sheets, which feel cool and welcoming on your skin before pulling you against him, his lips coming back to yours. There was so much passion and emotion in his kiss and it felt like you were drowning in his arms. Shyly, you offer your tongue which he accepts with a strangled groan, sipping and sucking the small offering.

Ukitake’s hands undo your yukata, revealing smooth skin. His movements are unhurried as he unwraps you like a gift. Once all the layers of clothing are shed, he drinks in the sight of you laying bare on his bed and presses his nose into the crook of your neck savoring the way your skin smells, hearing your pulse, your breath, like they’re flowing into him. 

Your body feels like it’s floating from his tender ministrations, eyes gazing dreamily up at him as he disrobes, revealing his well-muscled body, his hair flowing down in waves and curtaining you both as he lays down next to you. Ukitake’s mouth finds yours again and his warm hands cup your breasts, squeezing enticingly, and a quiet moan escapes from your mouth into his. His fingernails flick lightly across the very tips of your nipples sending ripples of pleasure through your body which are mirrored in your already moistening sex.

His tongue trails down your neck and collarbone before coming down the swell of your breast and taking one of your pebbled nipples captive. He suckles the little bud and your body responds to him, arching closer in need as your hands cradle his head of flowing white locks. His lips pull playfully, bringing forth a noise of want from your throat as you cling to him. His free hand palms your other breast and feeling bold, you start exploring him with your mouth, planting wet kisses on his neck. 

His breath catches momentarily as he processes how wonderful your lips feel on his skin, his mate, claiming him in this intimate manner. Possessiveness fills Ukitake’s being and he leaves your nipple and draws you tightly against him, squeezing you so firmly like he was worried you’d vanish if he didn’t. The skin-to-skin contact was setting him aflame, feeling like he might disintegrate into bits of glowing embers. 

You had no intention of leaving. Because you were his, weren’t you? Thoughts of returning to the surface appeared like peeking into the wrong end of a telescope in your mind, getting further and further away as you lay in his arms. You push back strands of his white hair, see yourself reflected in his emerald eyes, and feel a primal tug deep within you; this was where you belonged.

He draws in a deep breath as your hands trail down his body, stroking his pecs and abs, stopping just short of where his erection pressed against your thigh. Your fingers curl around the hot column of velvet and stroke. His eyes begin to smolder, the irises growing darker until the rings of amber and black consume the space. He growls your name against your ear, his breath sensitizing your warmed skin, his teeth nipping the shell, his pants becoming more and more feral before he quickly grasps your wrist. 

“Not like this. Not yet,” he gasps, and your hand drops. You let out a squeak of surprise as he moves between your legs and his lips press a kiss to your wet sex before his tongue delves into your folds, licking a line from cunt to clit and teasing the swollen bud peeking out at the top of your folds. You can’t look away from his face, his eyes watching your every move, seeing the way your face contorts when his tongue gives you a particularly delicious lick. His eyes have a feral quality now, like a wolf when hunting in the night. Little moans fall from your lips but you don’t dare break your gaze, letting him nakedly watch you in the throes of pleasure, at his mercy. 

Tension gathers in your belly, a throbbing need for everything to explode and take you away into that sweet oblivion. Your pussy spasms from need and your clit pulses, signaling your impending climax. A shuddering moan leaves your lips as he pushes you to the peak, your eyes flying closed as your orgasm rips through you. Your vision turns white for a moment and as his tongue gives you a final lap. He crawls over your body and pushes away loose locks of hair that are sticking to your temples with sweat. 

“Mine,” he whispers over your lips before he slips his body into yours. The passage occurs with no resistance as he allows you to adjust to his size, watching you for signs of discomfort but you’re floating on a cloud of ecstasy as you feel him stretch out your walls, filling the space that you had been craving. Your walls clench around him welcomingly, further pulling him into your warmth and he buries his face into the crook of your neck, his teeth bearing down on the delicate skin as his hips start to rock against yours, stroking your walls with his veiny cock. 

Your sighs mingle and float into the air as he claims you, your hands holding his waist firmly as his body rises and falls over yours, his hair in disarray as he chases his climax.

His movements begin to grow sloppy and he pants into your ear. “The water bond. You’ll become permanently part of this world. This is your last chance to back out.”

Your response is to wrap your legs around his waist and draw him in deeper. He hisses as your pussy conforms to him like a glove and his body shivers, a sexy moan falling from his lips as he allows himself to spill into you, marking you in the most ancient way as his. 

all dividers by @/ cafekitsune

Taglist:

@kr0wu @kryptoniteforsale @pernesophe @whatshernameis @hunnie-lily @the-hoetei-13

[seireiteihellbutterfly]

There I am, a little Seiretei hell butterfly, lounging on my man's finger ☺️☺️☺️

[deathberi]

unohana and ukitake be like: “see you in hell”

[turnbackthependulum]

Rukia's special day, so throwback to this cute clip from the Shinigami Illustrated Picture Book from Ep 248!

[gallusrostromegalus]

so if AEIWAM has Rukia starting off as lieutenant, what's the justification for sending her to the Living World at the beginning of the story?

(in the manga, she doesn't get the lieutenant's position until after the end of the Soul Society Arc, even though everyone agrees she's the obvious candidate for it. the position is left vacant after Kaien Shiba's death, with the actual duties being split between 13th company's two 3rd seat officers -- whose names ofc I don't remember, but one of them is Isane Kotetsu's younger sister?)

(I seem to remember Rukia initially not actually having *any* officer's seat because Byakuya wanted her kept away from the more dangerous missions. which is why she's on bog-standard Hollow patrol at the beginning of the series)

(idk if this throws a wrench in your worldbuilding, but you've got a whole construction site going on so what's one more trip hazard? 😅)

About four months before the canon series begins:

-----

Ukitake probably would have been less upset if he'd received the message at the office. Or in person.

Instead, the message had been delivered to him by private courier at his home, right in the middle of dinner. Interrupting his dinner after a long day was enough of a reason for Ukitake to read the boy the riot act, but the sheer- What the hell was he thinking? Was he thinking at all??

He squinted at the letter again. Technically, it was only sent to him on the order of "The Kuchiki Clan" so this could, theoretically, be the nonsense of several different people, and not necessarily Byakuya specifically.

"Best to go address them collectively." He sighed, folding up the letter, sticking it inside his robe, and getting up.

"Sentaro? Kiyone?" he called from the hallway, putting on his Captain's Haori, as this was Official Business. "I need to step out for a bit, you two are in charge until I get back."

"Sir!" Sentaro saluted with enough force that he winced from hitting himself in the head.

"Let me come with you!" Kiyone said cheerfully.

"No, this is a private matter. You stay here and make sure the Division doesn't catch fire." Ukitake said, tying Sogyo No Kotowari to his belt. Hopefully it wouldn't come to that, but the average mule could learn a thing or five about stubbornness from Byakuya and a show of force might be necessary. He waved to his two third-seats, and stepped out the door.

It wasn't a long walk, but the cool night air gave him some time and space to think.

Someone in the Kuchiki clan had filed a Legal Injunction to prevent the promotion of one Rukia Kuchiki to any seated officer's position. It had arrived less than an hour after Ukitake had sent in the paperwork to finally fill his long-open lieutenant's position, and Rukia wasn't back from her patrol in the Rukongai, so it wasn't Rukia who had told them. Someone was keeping a much-too-close eye on the 13th's operations, and interference like this was dangerous as well as disrespectful.

There was a brief pause at the front gate of the compound where the new guard attempted to rebuff Ukitake by saying he needed to have an appointment.

Hm. I actually am angry. Ukitake decided, as the little prick went on about the importance of security to the clan. He turned away from the guard, squared up in front of the gate, and with a moment's concentration, he kicked through the bar and both doors to the gate neatly off their hinges, quietly enjoying the way one of them cartwheeled over the grounds and around the main building until it came to a stop with a loud splash inside the koi pond.

"Ah. Ukitake-Taicho is on his way to the main house." The guard said over his communicator as Ukitake strode into the compound, having done a very sensible about-face. "Perhaps open the main doors for him."

Indeed, he watched the servants scramble to open the main doors to the house, the maid taking her post to greet him and the others scuttling away at speed to not be on the scene, one of them going so far as to dive into a nearby bush.

"Welcome Ukitake-taicho." Bowed the maid. "The family is currently at dinner."

"Oh good I can speak to all of them!" He beamed, breezing past her and any pretense of etiquette and striding into the family home.

There was an ominous rustle of blossoms in the courtyard.

"I love him like a son, Senbonzakura, but he's behaving rather badly and needs to be corrected." Ukitake explained, not breaking his stride save to give the zanpaktou a sideways glance. "-Unless this is somehow Ginrei's tomfoolery, in which case your master will probably turn him inside out before I have the chance."

Satisfied, the ancient tree stilled.

"Thank you." Ukitake nodded, turning down the hall and came to the dining room, whose doors seem to have been surreptitiously left open rather than risk the wrath of his foot.

"Jushiro," Byakuya spoke calmly as though this were no more than a social call. "-this is a surprise."

"It is a surprise!" Ukitake agreed, voice strained as he tried to keep his tone lighthearted, tossing the legal injunction onto the table. "-I thought you all knew better than to try to tell me how to run my division!"

Byakuya, two of his uncles, a spare cousin and a handful of houseguests all stared at the letter.

"Sorry to interrupt dinner, but the letter only designates that the directive has come from a clan member so I'm not entirely sure whose nonsense this is." Ukitake explained, hands casually on his hips as he waited for an answer.

Byakuya took a sip of water, set his glass down, delicately dabbed his lips dry, and then stood up. "It is my directive, and no-one else's." Behind him, Ginrei reached over to swipe the document from the table and read it at speed. "I think that I've been quite reasonable, given the circumstances."

"Would you like to elaborate on your reasoning here?" Ukitake asked, a sentence that most people recognized as a giant red flag to about face on whatever they had been doing.

If Byakuya had a spiritual animal though, it was probably a Bull, and he interpreted the red flag as a signal to charge. "Given the paucity of heirs the Kuchiki Clan possess, as the head of the family I cannot allow any member to be exposed to an unnecessarily risky position. I am perfectly content for Rukia to be a shinigami but I cannot condone the additional risk of being a seated officer, let alone a lieutenant."

"Are you INSANE?" Hissed Ginrei, staring bug-eyed at his grandson.

"I don't see what all the fuss is about." Byakuya huffed.

Ukitake pressed his hands together in front of his face and sighed deeply. Ah. Yep. That's what I thought.

"Captain Kuchiki." He said, tipping his hands forward for emphasis. "Do you want to step out into the garden with me?"

"Not particularly. I am in the middle of-" Byakuya began and Ginrei grabbed the entire tablecloth in both hands and pulled, ripping the entire meal from the table with a loud shattering of dishware and even Byakuya flinched at the severity of the display.

"OH HOW CLUMSY OF ME." he snarled at his grandson, sauce dripping off his kimono. "Why don't you take our guest out to the garden while this gets cleaned up?"

"...Yes." Byakuya muttered. "I understand the Koi pond has a new architectural feature."

Out in the garden, it was darker, calmer, and easier to speak freely.

"Do you remember the oaths you took when you joined the court guard, and the additional ones you took as captain?" Ukitake asked as they stood in front of the Kio Pond and observed the actually rather aesthetically pleasing way the door had managed to land mostly upright with one end buried in the mud at the and then tipped just enough to be caught by one of the carefully placed standing stones in the middle of the pond, fish gumming at it excitedly.

"I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Citizens of the Soul Society against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Court Guard and None Other, that I take this obligation freely, without any compulsion, reservation or secret purpose, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter." Byakuya recited easily.

"Good, good- um." Ukitake rubbed his hands and grimaced as he tried to figure out how to put this "-That bit about 'allegiance to the Court Guard and None Other' You understand what that part means, right?"

"That I have sworn loyalty to the Court Guard and nobody else." Said Byakuya, still confused.

"Right. Right- you understand how 'Nobody Else' includes your own family, right? You're Captain first and Kuchiki second, and an injunction like this looks like the head of a Noble House interfering with the running of the Court Guard and that a hell of a lot like Sedition." Ukitake growled the last word.

Byakuya's eyes widened and he was silent for a long moment. "...Ah."

"Gods help me if Yamamoto had seen this- you understand why we have these rules, right?"

"The warring clans era-" Byakuya started.

"-was still going on when I was a boy!" Ukitake yelped. "It's not long gone-!"

"-Least of all for the Captain-General." Byakuya nodded, wincing. "I. Have made a mistake. I will withdraw the injunction immediately."

"Thank you." Ukitake sighed.

"Thank you also for your. Discretion." Byakuya said, carefully eyeing Ukitake.

"He won't hear about it from me." Ukitake put his hands up in disengagement, the major crisis averted but still- "Look. Is this about how I run my division or is it about you and Rukia?"

Byakuya watched a particularly round red carp swim by, knuckle between his teeth, before answering. "...The Latter."

Ukitake nodded slowly, and took off his captain's Haori and undid Sogyo no Kotowari from his belt, folding up the coat and setting it aside on the ground, sword atop it. "There. My Official Business is concluded. May I speak to you as a friend?"

Byakuya glanced up at him and nodded, turning to face his longtime friend-

The crack from Jushiros backhand rang out through the night loud enough to startle the fish.

"How DARE you disrespect Rukia like that? Do you think she's stupid? Weak?" Jushiro snarled, wide eyed and furious.

Byakuya didn't react for a moment out of shock. Some of his colleagues always had violence on the table as an option (Unohana could reassure someone they would be alive for a long while yet in a way that make one's blood run colder than a january morning), but coming from Ukitake was a nasty surprise, like being bitten by a previously friendly dog. Byakuya's cheekbone reddened and Jushiro tried to pretend his knuckle wouldn't be bruised in the morning, but eventually Byakuya closed his eyes, turning away from him.

"...No."

"Then what's this about?" Jushiro demanded.

"She has to do a tour in the living world to be a seated officer." Byakuya spoke quietly. "-And even someone like Kaien Shiba was killed by a Hollow."

"I know." Jushiro sighed, rubbing his brow in frustration. "I know." he repeated, softly this time, dropping his hand and grimacing.

Byakuya looked sideways at him, eyes shining.

"Believe me- I've done everything I can to prepare her for this and then some. She's as ready for this as anyone can be." Jushiro tried to reassure him. "...But you can't keep her locked away from the horrors of the universe. That'll kill her more surely than anything she might face in battle."

Byakuya sighed, rubbing his face, but nodded. "No. You're right." He mumbled, looking exhausted. "She needs to go, and I have no right to stop her."

Jushiro opened his arms, offering Byakuya an embrace, and to his surprise, Byakuya stepped in, leaning heavily on his friend's shoulder.

"It hurts." Byakuya mumbled.

"I know. Gods above, I know." Jushiro sighed, rubbing Byakuya's shoulder. "Can you believe what you just said?" Byakuya nodded into his shoulder.

"As in, can you believe it right now?"Jushiro asked, pushing Byakuya back upright and holding him by the shoulders. "Because Rukia is going to be here any-"

"NII-SAMA! NIIIII-SAMAAAAA!!" Rukia almost shrieked with joy, bounding through the house behind them and sliding onto the porch with such force that she actually slid right off it and into the garden lawn, quickly recovering and sprinting for them. "GUESS WHAT?! UKITAKE-TAICHO JUST NOMIN- oh hey Ukitake-Taicho! What are you doing here?" She started and stopped.

"I lightly misjudged your arrival home, but don't worry, I haven't told anyone yet!" he smiled cheerfully.

"Oh- Um- Ukitake-Taicho nominated me to be his Lieutenant!" She beamed, all brightness and joy at Byakuya. "This means I can finally take my tour of duty in the Living World! I know, I know it's a serious responsibility but- Oh come on! It's so cool! I'll get to see what's been going on in the human world- there's that magical Cocola Juice that Kira tried that almost cured his depression, and building with the Tests Of Skill Renji saw-oh! Maybe I'll learn how to drive an Automobile like Momo did!"

Byakuya managed to smile softly at her as she rambled about the other wonders of the living world, and put a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm very proud of you." he said, and meant it, even if he was holding back the and I'm absolutely terrified for you.

Rukia sniffled, eyes welling up with tears. "R-really?"

"Of course. You've grown into a fine shinigami. Hisana would be proud too." he smiled gently, opening his arms.

Rukia's lip wobbled, and then she tackled him for a hug, sobbing into his chest. Byakuya stroked her back as she babbled her apologies about being so excited but she's waited AGES for this and she wanted Hisana to see and-

Byakuya looked up at Jushiro as she cried, looking on the verge of tears himself. Jushiro squeezed his arm to reassure him before putting his own hand on Rukia's shoulder. "Rukia! This is a happy occasion!" he teased.

"Sorry, Ukitake-taicho." she sniffled, almost rubbing the tears away on here sleeve before stopping and pulling out a handkerchief, a habit Byakuya had spent the previous forty years ingraining into her.

"Why don't you go tell Ginrei the good news and I'll see if the kitchens can whip up something celebratory?" Jushiro smiled and Rukia nodded, bolting off, nearly sliding off the porch again, and calling for her adopted grandfather.

"Thank you, again." Byakuya whispered. "I had been exceptionally foolish. If the injunction had gone through- even without the captain-general's reaction- ...I would have terribly hurt her."

"Yes. Yes you had." Jushiro nodded. "But I'm glad I caught you in time, for both your sakes. Let's go see about getting Rukia some cake, or should we break out the good sake?" ***

The following morning, Byakuya awoke to a bright light and a piercing headache.

"Nii-sama?" Rukia called softly, and once again, Byakuya was forced to wonder what God had blessed Rukia with an apparent immunity to Hangovers.

"Rukia?" he groaned.

"Can I ask you something? Well. Two things?"

"Sure, just- ow. Come in and close the door after you?" He groaned, sitting up. Six AM, barely four hours since the party had wrapped up. Rukia entered, shutting the door against the early morning light and sitting down beside his bed.

"I- it occurred to me while I was cleaning up and I couldn't sleep, but- I promise, I won't be angry, but I need to know-" She sighed. "It's been one thing or another preventing me from doing my required tour of duty in the living world for AGES, and- You didn't have anything to do with that, did you?" Byakuya was silent for a moment. "Some of it, yes." He admitted.

"...Why?" She asked, sounding pained. "I- I promise I've trained and studied as hard as I can-"

"If something happened to you, after I promised Hisana- I- I don't know what I would do!" He snapped, entirely too distraught for this hour of the morning. "I'm sorry, Rukia. You're my sister and all I have left but it was still wrong of me to try to hold you back, just because I was scared of losing you."

Rukia stared at him, stunned, before she tackle-hugged him again, slamming him back into the bed.

"...I love you too, Nii-sama." She mumbled from the middle of his chest. "-But you are so STUPID sometimes!" she groaned from his chest.

"My Apologies." he sighed, staring up at the ceiling. "It's genetic, so you need to watch out for it too."

Rukia tipped he head up, squinting at him.

"That is. A Joke." he smiled down at her and she groaned, rolling off his chest to lie next to him, and he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, enjoying her presence while he could.

"What was the other thing you wanted to ask?" he said after a few moments of pleasant silence, the morning chorus of birds starting to sing.

"Oh yeah!" Rukia sat up, gesturing out in the general direction of the gardens with her thumb. "What's the front gate doing in the Koi pond?"

[yagiv]

wip ukitake taicho~

[shiba-nix]

Aizen: Shiba-kun, say «r-r-r»

Shiba: R-r-r-r

Rangiku: Ideal relationship❤️

А: I hear everything.

R: Great! Lister, taicho(Ukitake) is wrong. Your couple is cuter.

A: . . .

S: . . .

R: He always called is cute. And you just proved him wrong. But! The coules thing is that it confirms, Aizen is cite.

A: Women, I just got injured because of you, and Shiba has s massive heart attack.

[animeloverskylarmoon]

Jushiro Ukitake / Ichigo Kurosaki- Oneshot

It's hard when someone you trusted stabs you in the back.

Literally.

Ginjo's betrayal was a hard pill to swallow. You were all there. When Ichigo thought he'd been losing his mind. The apologies from his friends came after he'd defeated Ginjo. Ichigo understood. When his powers returned, it was the most you'd seen him smile since Rukia left.

It was all over. Everyone was safe and Ginjo was reprimanded.

You should have been happy but...it was just hard.

"Taicho, we're back!!"

Kiyone basically phased through the door, Sentaro not far behind. Jushiro just laughed it off as they began to fight. You sat with Ichigo and Rukia as they caught him up on all the changes. Holding the cup of tea, you tried your best to wear the biggest smile. If nothing but to hide the fact that you were still in pain.

"We should head back before Kenpachi finds me. It's only a matter of time."

Jushiro laughed at the statement.

"You're right. Your new attainment of power might be a little too enticing for him." Ichigo stood, expecting you to follow, but when you placed your cup down, you just waved your hand.

"I'm going to stay a bit longer. Unohana-san has asked me to help out. There was an attack and a few of the reapers got hurt in the Rukon District." Ichigo nodded.

He looked as though he wanted to say something else, but stopped himself.

"Have fun."

You offer a smile.

Just like that he's gone.

"I'm about to head off as well."

"Would you mind if I accompanied you there?"

Jushiro's request was a bit unexpected, but you didn't mind the company.

"Of course not Jushiro-san."

He follows, and you wave at Rukia as you exit the barracks.

The walk is fairly quiet. Truthfully, this is the first time you've been around him without the others. You're not as close with all the other captains. Unohana and Komamura are the ones you normally flock around. You're gifts in healing and your need for inspirational advice went hand in hand with those two.

"I apologize if I made a surprising request, I just wanted to make sure you were alright."

His words bring your attention back to him.

"I'm fine."

Jushiro stops and so do you.

"I know I have no place saying this, we aren't as acquainted as Rukia and Ichigo, but from your discomfort on our previous topic, it's clear that Ginjo's betrayal has affected you the most."

Your body becomes tense.

"W-What.."

"You had feelings for him."

Your stomach drops and your eyes widen.

"From your reaction, I'm assuming that there are still some residual feelings lingering. You're conflicted. He was a traitor. You should hate him, but he was also your friend. He ran his blade through your chest without remorse. "

Against your will, tears spill. You can't stop them. Because no one knew. Not even Ichigo. You were good about keeping it to yourself. There's a part of you that wants to believe that it's all a lie. That he wasn't some monster. But he'd played with Ichigo when he was at his weakest. You were standing right there when your memories finally returned. Ginjo looked you in the eye and stabbed you without a second thought. He just left you there to bleed out on the ground in the rain.

"I was there when they brought you back to the soul society. You were hurt. But not because of the pain."

You want to swallow, but there's a thickness in your throat that won't even allow the action.

"I didn't bring this up to put you through more pain. I just want you to realize that those feelings aren't a weakness. You're allowed to hurt. Something I've learned from humanity, it's that those emotions, they make you strong. Ichigo is living proof of that. So are you. Give yourself that luxury to embrace. You survived. You're strong. Much stronger than you realize."

He's facing you, and somehow his words bring up all those painful feelings. You really thought that once you finally embraced the truth, it would internally kill you. But as you stood there, bearing everything, it felt like exactly what you needed.

Jushiro took another step to you, and you cried. Right there, in the middle of the squad barracks.

He just placed a hand on your shoulder and pulled you closer.

That was enough.

~~~

"YOU IDIOTS!! WHY ARE YOU COVERED IN BRUISES!!"

Visits to the Soul Society were the new normal.

What you didn't expect is Ichigo and Renji walking into the fourth squad, battered from head to toe.

"He started it." Renji grumbled.

You smacked them both over the head and they yelled.

"Sit down and shut up before I put you both three feet in the ground!!!!"

Nothing else was said.

You healed Renji first because you knew he had a mission tomorrow. All the more reason for him not to go out looking for trouble. After thanking you with a wolfish smile, he was off.

Ichigo didn't even complain. You know it was more out of fear.

"You've gotten better. You mastered those kido's pretty fast."

You grin.

"You sound surprised. I'm a little rusty from all that lack of practice, but I still got it."

The green glow emitting from your hands brought him a strange sense of warmth.

"Thanks for always sticking by me."

His head was lowered, and you raised a brow.

"You say it like I had a choice. If I didn't you'd probably get up to who knows what. Rukia can only do so much, you know."

You expected some kind of retaliation, but he said nothing.

"Is everything okay?"

He looked off to the side.

"Back then, I knew about Ginjo. How you felt."

You stopped abruptly, and Ichigo turned. You looked a bit panicked, and Ichigo shook his head, taking your hand.

"You don't have to defend yourself. I..I've known for a while. I just thought that if I didn't say anything, it would hurt you less. I trusted him, so did you. For us it's different. I'm sorry that I made you go through that."

You shake your head, and when you wrap your hands around his neck and hug him, Ichigo froze. He's a bit stunned for a second, but then his hand slowly lowers, and he smiles, returning the embrace.

"Thanks for always saving us Ichigo."

In a lot of ways, that's the truth.

[unohanadaydreams]

hi! i really like your blog and writings, so i wanted to ask you to write something nsfw with ukitake taicho and fem!reader. i hope you will have fun writing it//also stay hydrated and don't forget to take care of your health, best wishes 🏹💗

Thank you for the well wishes & here is a little blurb for you! Not really explicit, just kind of leads into foreplay.

Juushiro Ukitake x Reader:

The bathroom was lit faintly by the flickering whims of your lantern near the doorway. The black stitches keeping your left cheek from turning into an ugly extension of your mouth scrambled in the dark, your eyes trying to make sense of them in the absence of clarifying light. A rush job during the war painfully re-sewn after. Dark, whispy claws protruded over your skin, looking like they were digging out rather than keeping contained.

Your triple shift was over. You remembered when that used to carry you out of the 4th division and all the way home with grateful gulps of air and excited steps.

Now you couldn’t feel anything towards your work. You left the bathroom, and your blank reflection, behind. Carried by duty alone. You had to leave so you could rest and return and not let your division down.

Gurneys lined the walls. Some filled with dead and some fellow healers desperate for rest in between a double or triple shift. That was how many shinigami the Seireitei had lost, that the hallways were not spilling with any injured. You felt their absence where your enthusiasm used to cradle. They were gone.

You were going too. Home.

A cool breeze greeted you and your lantern once outside. It tickled your stitches and caused a mighty itch that you certainly weren’t grateful for. The walk home was forgotten, your brain glazing over everything but the steady thrum of lanterns bobbing along with other shinigami you passed by.

Electricity back after only a month had been an impossible ask for most divisions. The 4th saved their power for the surgery ward and the three largest rooms of the intensive care ward, large enough to crowd needed beds in. The rest were making do. Including you.

You regained awareness because the wind was whipping your uniform, slapping it to and from your skin. And the circle of paper protecting your flame was thrashing on the end of its wooden stick, snuffing your light.

Dawn would come soon, but not soon enough to guide you home. The clouds holding their fingers firm over the moon allowed a faint glow to guide you. Which would have to do.

The rest of the journey to your serene retreat from the bleak re-building of the Seireitei was fraught. Your right sandal snagged on rubble and tore beyond use. Your socks were logged from stinking, stagnant puddles hidden by the harsh shadow of pile after pile of shattered walls.

By the time your fingers hesitated tugging the door open, your tears had dried and you had long since hammered the delicate paper lantern against a jagged slide of rock beyond use.

“Welcome back,” Juushiro said in greeting, his fingers meeting yours, pulling the door open for you.

Unable to articulate why your feet were bare and beginning to bubble over at the realization that you knew Kido and could use Kido and Kido could have gotten you home in warm fucking light, you gave a watery sniff, “I’m home.”

You only cried a little when he brought you into the circle of his arms.

@

Juushiro was a person. But also a balm. He rubbed your feet after breakfast and also the open, empty part of you, filling it with his gentle touch, until your insides fluttered. Even the tug of your healing cheek was bearable.

Refreshed, you gestured toward the Shogi board in the corner, positioned so the sun light fell across white pieces in a glittering arc, highlighting the game, centering its importance. You had yet to study the board for what you’d missed.

“On a losing streak?”

He laughed. “Not yet.”

You caught on to his tug on your calf, following forward until your head rested on the table rather than your back.

“Much to Nanao’s frustration,” Juushiro said, fingers circling over your left knee, your calf resting on the sharp bone of his shoulder. “The changes I’ve made to the board once they leave have been slight, but enough to keep me afloat.”

With a hum, you flexed your toes, watching the black crescents of bruise on each nail, too stubborn to heal, wag above his head.

“Don’t worry, I’m back to day shifts and doubles at most by the time they switch to Go.”

Nanao drove even relaxation to settle in a schedule. And it was folded in precise thirds on Juushiro’s office.

You and Nanao playing Second in Command, whispering in Juushiro and Shunsui’s respective ears as they waged battle on a board was something you missed.

Even more longed for were the days Juushiro was your second, his body pressing your back while he whispered, Nanao mirroring your determined gaze.

Nanao was your eternal rival and you battled heartily before the real war interrupted.

“I will be in desperate need of you,” Juushiro said with a sigh that sank him backwards. You embraced the position and crawled over him.

“You have plenty of years to conquer the abstract.”

Juushiro kissed your itchy cheek, then your mouth, allowing it to deepen before laying his head back in a pool of silver hair.

“And I’ve had many years of failure.” He thumbed the line of your jaw. “I’m starting to feel sorry for my current bonsai.”

You straddled his hips and rocked with deliberation.

“It’ll grow back and you can try again.”

His breath skipped over a response, moaning instead at the increased pressure of your body stroking his hardening cock.

Licking his lips, his fingers spanned over your thighs, thumbs rubbing to and fro with the rhythm of your rocking.

“Perhaps you can fix it for me instead,” Juushiro said. His knees rose to better thrust up and indulge in friction.

You leaned over him, kissing him deeply, and sucking on his bottom lip before pulling back. Palming the outline of his cock, you rubbed the head in the same motion his thumbs were working at on your thighs.

Languid at last, with only the good on your mind, you held his chest down, right over his shiny, new lungs. These crafted by Kisuke Urahara. Far superior to the ones you’d crammed into his body during the war.

The War. You wanted to know when you could live without it wriggling into every moment.

Juushiro brought you back, guiding you by your hips to slide forward again. He was your favorite Good thing and all you wanted in mind right now.

You tugged at the opening of his kimono.

“I’d rather watch you try again,” you said against his lips. “You’re so beautiful when you do your best.”

Juushiro shuddering as you nipped down his throat, your hand reaching back, tickling up his bare thigh, made you shiver in turn.

“I’ll do my best, then.”

[gauchestardust]

Lipstick - a RenRuki fanficfion.

In the Kuchiki manor, Rukia sits on the floor, Renji, who got invited by the girl, does the same, as the only thing separating them is the kotatsu. The manor's ambient is silent and solitary. The duo doesn't share a single word – they've been together since they were kids, Renji always talked to Rukia about literally anything. A mutual trust. The two shinigami know very well they can tell anything to each other. But this time: something's off. Both shinigami avoid each other's stares. Their faces are pink, red even, and hot too. It's like they were in a hot summer, although it's actually a very cold winter in Soul Society.

After what feels to be an eternity of silence, the red-haired shinigami finally speaks up. "So, Rukia...what have you been up to these days? I've been too busy working with Kuchiki-taicho– your brother. And...yeah, we didn't see each other a lot." He asks. In the same moment, the black-haired girl replies. "Ah, I think I've been okay. Matsumoto-san from the 10th division asked me to go shopping with her. I tried to tell her i needed to finish my duties with Ukitake-taichou, but well, it's Matsumoto Rangiku...she obviously haven't heard me." She replies.

"Ehh? And what have you two bought?"

"Well- a lot of clothes for Matsumoto-san, and she also offered herself to buy some dresses for me. And that's what she did." Sigh. "And also...a lipstick."

"Lipstick?? Really, Rukia? I don't think I remember ever seeing you wearing those."

"She told me it would be a great idea! For a..." At the moment Rukia formulates this phrase, her face slowly turns pinker than it already was. "...a certain reason."

"Oh really? And what would THAT reason be?" Renji comes closer to Rukia's face, with a smirk, as the girl tells him to shut up. "Mhm? Come on!"

"Ngh...!" She groans, pulling the redhead away. She gets up, walking to the closest dressing table. She approaches the small mirror and slowly applies the pink lipstick. Rukia does it in a slow pace, trying to seduce Renji (jokingly www). And surprisingly, it worked...! When the black-haired girl put the piece of makeup down, she saw him blushing even more.

"She looks so...h-hot..." Thinks Renji Abarai to himself, and quickly notices Rukia doing a gesture with her hand – a sign of 「come closer ♡」 – an opportunity he surely doesn't want to lose. The red-haired shinigami looks at his surroundings. "...well...Byakuya-taichou isn't here. Which means YOUR BROTHER isn't here. S-so..."

Renji gets up and walks to Rukia. Their huge size difference is noticeable. The male red-haired shinigami is so tall, being impressively 188cm (6'2 ft.), while the female black-haired shinigami is so petite, being just 144cm (4'9 ft.) – and he LOVES IT in her. He easily lifts her up, squeezing her small waist. She's just like a goddess in all ways! But that doesn't matter. At least not for now. It's time for Renji Abarai to feast the main course: her lips. This make him feel like fainting...!

They want to lose control. Renji wants to play with Rukia's lips, coated by that pink lipstick – it even has a scent, cherries...probably has a taste too.

"Ready?" The star asks.

"You bet I am." The stray dog replies.

But in the moment their lips are almost touching, both just pull away, blushing. "A-agh...! I don't know if I can do this...! I've never done this before..." The short shinigami groans, holding on her hairlocks. As for the tall shinigami, letting out a small sigh, gently holds her by the cheeks. Oh god...she's so soft, like a little bunny...

"Yo, Rukia. Don't worry, okay? Y-you know it's also my first kiss." He grins. "I gotta be honest. Since we've begun to get closer to each other...even before training to be shinigami...I have always dreamed of having you on m-my arms...you know, kissing you...–"

"..." Rukia doesn't know what to say. She just keeps listening.

"And y'know...knowing my first kiss will actually be with you...i-it's so— m-mhm...?!?!"

Renji looks down, only to see he got interrupted by Rukia, pulling him by the yukata's collar, on the tip of her toes. Her lips finally touches his. A kiss that starts kindly, but slowly turns into a hot kiss, as Renji holds Rukia on his arms, sharing the pinnacle of passion for a silly duo of teen lieutenants.

He responds to this, pinning her on the floor, with her arms open, as the kiss keeps going. Not only their lips touch, but their tongues too. Rukia lets out soft moans, squirming in pleasure. "Renji~...o-oh my god...~" She says, breaking the kiss. "T-that was...wonderful...magical..."

"Ehehe...y-yeah...that was awesome, Rukia. Look, thank you so much. Thanks for being my first one." Renji speaks up, thanking her. He have always known, but now it's definitive: he wants to be with Rukia Kuchiki forever. He wants to marry, have a life with her.

But before he could even finish the phrase, this time he gets pinned in the floor. He looks at Rukia pinning him, seeing a smirk on her face. He's going to get rewarded.

.

.

.

Now, the only things heard inside the Kuchiki manor were kissing, smooching noises and the male shinigami moaning. And after that, Rukia picked up the small mirror from the dresser and showed it to Renji. The redhead had the best vision he'd ever seen on his entire life, his reflection, his loose hair, as Rukia untied it during their moment; his face full of her lipstick marks, not only face, but neck too. And it's obvious that the shorter shinigami wouldn't stop right there.

"Well~ since my brother isn't here...we can make the most of our little fun time. Let's just hope no one comes at us now~" Rukia says, trying to act seductively. Turns out she's not the absolute best at this, but Renji loves it anyway.

"Oh god. Why not? We're lieutenants, we gotta have a break sometime." Renji gets up, picking up Rukia and carrying her to her room. It's so...so adorable. He puts her down on the bed and decides to take a look at the room.

It's full of bunny related things, especially related to chappy. There's some dresses scattered in the closet, the dresses Rangiku bought to Rukia, and also that dress Uryu made for her. And also...he notices something on the counter, he looks closer and picks it up.

It's that Chappy keychain he gave her while she was hurt, resting on that futon. He bought to her but turns out at the time, Ukitake-taichou gave her a HUGE Chappy, bigger than Soul Society as a whole. He got very envious and jealous at the time. He looks at the Chappy keychain, seeing she took great care of it, she actually loved it...it's a dear gift for her. Despite not being very used to affection, those gifts were the embodiment of heaven to Rukia. Gifts that comforted her.

The two lieutenants look at each other as Renji walks to Rukia and hugs her. "I love you." That's what they say at the same time, descending into their little heavenly moment of kissing — with love, a small temporary paradise for them.

.

.

.

Some days after their act, Rukia encounters Rangiku walking on the snowy streets, wearing a charming, pink scarf. "Ah, Matsumoto-san...!" The shorter girl calls her attention. The busty woman turns to her, examining Rukia with her blue eyes.

"Oh? Oh, hey, Kuchiki-chan!" She grins, leaning at her. "Why are you speaking to me all of sudden? I thought you'd be busy." Rangiku says, chuckling. Rukia just rolls her eyes.

"I just wanted to thank you..." She says, looking at Rangiku's grin turning into a confused face. She then explains. "You know...thank you for giving me that lipstick. It was because of it I could...a-agh..." She pulls the taller woman closer and whispers in her ear. "I-I filled Renji with kisses...and he loved it."

"Y-you what?!?! My my...! I'm so happy for you, Rukia...how was it? Did you two enjoy the moment?" The busty lady asks gently, seeming genuinely happy for Rukia. "You deserve it! You two are so close to each other...it was already expected."

Rukia blushes, looking away. "Y-yeah. But anyways...thank you so much, Matsumoto-san...I could finally kiss him...well, we can...go shopping later in the human world if you want to." The black-haired girl smiles and then walks away.

Rangiku Matsumoto waves to Rukia as she walks away. Then, she turns to walk back to the 10th division. "She's so happy, it's adorable. It surely worked. I'm so glad I could help her in love~"

Additional notes: look, this was my first...long fanfiction? since the others i have made were too short, though that ive never submitted them. i will post this one on AO3...when i have the motivation to.

i'm not used to writing these, but i hope you all like it. i'm a fan of renruki (i want to find more merch of them but it's so hard to find in aliexpress...), and to satisfy my renruki needs, i wrote this. hope you like it.

[seireiteihellbutterfly]

Happy Lines

When the lines start appearing on his face, Ukitake simply sighs, realizing his age may be catching up with him. He doesn’t really think about them, but on some level, he can’t help but wish they would go away. To him they’re a sign his time in this world, his experience, an old soul wizening under the sun.

But to you, those lines are your map to his feelings. Especially the little lines that appear at the corners of his eyes. Small little crinkles that appear even when he’s not smiling, but clearly happy about something. You don’t know if he’s aware but you think they add to his handsomeness. And they always appear at small things; when he’s enjoying his evening cup of tea, of when he sees you after a long day.

It’s always eye wrinkles first, then that gentle smile that lights up his whole face. And you make sure he knows what those lines mean to you.

Your fingers gently touch the corners of his eyes and you press kisses to them every opportunity you get. The lines deepen as he chuckles, pulling you closer to him.

“Are older men your thing y/n?”

“Last I checked, compatibility doesn’t come with an expiration date.”

And oh, that deep laugh that rumbles from his chest as he looks at you, makes you feel butterflies and fuzzies deep inside like no one else can.

[sinzkiller]

Random text between Kyoraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jushiro

Miss call from Shunsui

Miss call from Shunsui

Miss call from Shunsui

Miss call from Shunsui

Shunsui: JUSHIRO

Shunsui: ARE YOU OK?? IF SO PLEASE ANSWER ME

Jushiro: Hi :3

Shunsui: THANK GOD YOU'RE DOING FINE.

Jushiro: I..am? What happened, why are you so worried about me?

Shunsui: I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE SLEEPING, NOT DYING.

Jushiro: That's sweet of you.. :3

Shunsui: Did you have fun there at the beach?

Jushiro: Well..yes.. and I'm doing well ^^!

30 Minutes Ago.......

Shunsui: How's your Ukitake taicho doing?

Sentarō: He's fine! Thanks to the wall I built from sand

Kiyone: Nahhh!! Thanks to my flowers he's sleeping well right now

Shunsui: Wall? Flowers? Sleeping????

Kiyone: Yes, Captain Kyoraku, Ukitake taicho is sleeping right now

Sentarō:

Shunsui: ARE YOU SURE HE'S SLEEPING????

_________

💀 I almost die from laughter whenever I rewatch this scene

[angeltoroa]

Compassion Watch

Bleach Fanfic: Kenpachi Zaraki, Yachiru Unohana, Isane Kotetsu (CW: Brushes on suicide)

Zaraki patiently paced the large room of his personal residence like a lion testing the boundaries of his cage. The whole thing with Ukitake's funeral was over and yet somehow Kyouraku felt it appropriate to keep Kenpachi on house arrest while everyone else was out having fun, cleaning up weird hollows. Or demons. Whatever. Even Ichigo was out there somewhere and Kenpachi wondered if he had improved in ten years.

He wasn't alone here though, the only other free captain apart from himself was seated on a chair, looking like she would pass out if he even looked at her funny. Isane was bravely keeping her chin up, after all, she was sitting in the unkempt living space of the 11th Division captain.

"I'm not going to bite your head off, Kotetsu, so chill." He said, finally giving up and slumping onto the tamati mat, "Tell me again why the hell I'm being kept here? I ain't done nothing wrong this time."

"Captain Kyouraku has said that with the latest incident with the H-Hell gates opening up, he thought that you would take the news hard." She explained, gripping the fabric of her hakama briefly, "So I'm here to keep an eye on you."

This befuddled Kenpachi, "The news? What, we captains don't get to reincarnate back into humans and just…stay in Hell?" When Isane nodded, Kenpachi laughed, "I think that's great! You, me, we get to go down to Hell and duke it out for all eternity; we'll even see our old friends again. Haha, even get to see some of the fuckers I put down there myself…" he mused, "I guess they're all down there waiting for us."

"Y-Yes." Isane looked down, though her agreement was pointed. Kenpachi tilted his head, studying her.

"Ah." A light flicked on in his head, "That's why you're here. You guys don't want me to get a head start on things." He scratched his head.

Isane sighed, "Yes." She admitted, "Actually, it was my suggestion, not the Head Captain."

Kenpachi glowered; his control over his riatsu was significantly improved over the last decade, but it still flooded the room with a dull ache, "I don't see how that's any of your damn business."

"I'm the captain of the Fourth Division and your well-being is my damn business!" She snapped, then covered her mouth like she was trying to corral the words back into her mouth. Kenpachi stopped staring and started to laugh, loudly at first until it tapered off.

"Yeah, okay, I see why Unohana kept you around as long as she did, there's some spice there." He lay across on one side facing her, "What makes you think I'd be so eager to off myself to go fight demons?"

Isane did what Isane did best; get flustered, "B-because you loved Captain Unohana."

"Pot calling the kettle black."

"And she's down there as some sort of lord of hell." She went redder, if that was possible.

"Don't make it so tempting; look, Kotetsu, this whole living business is its own battle. I have fought life for over a millenia and it's a tough bitch to fight, far more fun than taking the express route to the underworld. I'll fight life for a myriad until the bitch finally does me in. And then, only then, will I go down to Hell worthy enough to fight Yachiru."

Isane was quiet, as if the knot in her throat had tightened her vocal chords shut.

"Kotetsu." A pause and again, "*Isane*." Kenpachi stressed.

"I see now." Isane finally warbled, "I see now what she saw in you." There was an unquenchable fire in his face when he spoke of Unohana, and if he had faced Isane when he spoke, Isane wouldn't be sure if she wouldn't have also been caught up in that fire.

"You got a crush on me now?" He teased which made Isane return back to reality.

"No!" She then grimaced, "I mean, uh…it's just…I just wished things turned out differently. That you and Unohana-taicho were both here."

"Same." He admitted solemnly, then fixed a sharp eye on her, "So, should I be watching you instead?"

"N-no." Isane shook her silver head, surprised and, for some reason, touched.

"Thank fuck for that, this place is messy enough as it is, don't need a corpse here to clean up too," He rolled onto his back. He sighed. It was bittersweet, "I'll play by this curfew for now, Kotetsu, but you don't have to worry about me."

"No offense, but it is my damned business to worry." Isane smiled weakly.

"Atta girl." Kenpachi grinned back.

[toshiro-taichou]

Ice Changes the Story Chapter 1

(Credits to the original artist)

Summary:

Inspired by Change One Side Change the Story on Fanfiction.Net.

What happens if Toshiro Hitsugaya is thrown into the past and has to save everyone by changing the time line just a little bit. Being sent to where he doesn't exist nor mainly anyone he knows. To stop Aizen, Toshiro is sent to a time before Aizen is even in the academy. Will Toshiro be able to save the future?

Ships: No Main Parings. There will be side romance

Tags: Alternative Universe - Timetravel. Hitsugaya Toushirou - Centric. BAMF Hitsugaya Toushirou. Toshiro is older than Yoruichi and Byakuya. Change One Side Change the Story fanfiction inspired. My Ice Changes the Story rewrite. Bad spelling and Gramar. I don't proof read my stories.

Ao3 and fanfiction link:

Chapter 1:

In the year 2158, there was a war that completely destroyed the balance of the worlds. In the world of death, a world that was neither heaven or hell, just a limbo between life and rebirth, there was death filled the entire afterlife.

However, there was a 5'11 man standing, completely out of breath after pushing his exhausted body to finish off the remaining hollows. His hair was suppose to be snowy white and spiky but was stained half crimson and covered in brown. Crimson comes from his and his enemies blood. Brown from the dirt and dust of the battle. His eyes used to be turquoise, a bright amazing colour but they were now a dull, lifeless turquoise. Unlike his usual clothing which was a black Shihakusho with a white sleeveless hiaori, his clothes was completely different. A white open ruined jacket with a frozen collar and the ends of his sleeves are frozen. His pants were white and had holes in them, a black belt that barely stayed on his waist. His feet, which acted as shoes, were frozen to his shins. Although the colour of his clothes was suppose to be white, it's very obvious that they turn a greyish red colour from the dirt and blood. His tanned skin was also cut and bruised. 

This man was the Tenth Division's taichou, Toshiro Hitsugaya. He was a child prodigy and the youngest taichou in history. He is the sole survivour in the entire three worlds. Shaking in pain, he walked over to a collapsed building and sat down. He looked down at his Zanpakuto, the strongest ice zanpakuto in history. "Hyorinmaru?" Toshiro coughed out. "Master..." He heard the dragon's voice, it was filled with worry. "This is the end, isn't it?" Hyorinmaru hummed in agreement. He didn't like the fact that his master was in so much pain and that the soul society, world of the living and hueco mundo was collapsing. Toshiro closed his eyes and relaxed his body, with some struggle, waiting for death to take him.

A hand brought him out of his acceptance darkness. He struggled to open his eyes and once the blurriness passed, Toshiro took in the appearance of the person in front of him.

A man was stood in front of him with his hand on Toshiro's forehead, using healing kido to heal Toshiro the best he can. He was very, very pale, but not sickly pale, just someone-who-hasn't-seen-the-sun-at-all pale. His hair was long and black, it reminded the taicho of the previous thirteenth division taicho, Jushiro Ukitake. The man was wearing, what looked to be, a standard Shinigami uniform. If it wasn't for the Reiatsu that the prodigy was sensing, he would've believed he was a survivor. The man's eyes interested Toshiro the most. They were blue, but a blue he's never seen. It's like he can see the sky in the man's eyes. 

"W-Who are you?" Toshiro asked. The man smiled softly. "I'm the Soul King, don't worry, I'm not Yhwach, he's gone and I was left behind." He said, seeing Toshiro's shocked expression. "There's not enough time, Hitsugaya-taichou. The balance is destroyed with all the death that has happened and all the worlds are collapsing. I need to ask you a favour." Toshiro frowned hearing that but he had already figured that the worlds were collapsing. "What is it you need, sir?" The Soul King stood up and offered a hand to Toshiro. "Not here." Toshiro took the hand and stood up. It was a good thing as the building Toshiro was resting on collapsed again but this time, the floor beneath it collapsed and the building and floor disintegrate into the abyss. Toshiro's eyes widened. "Come with me." The king said. Toshiro nodded and the king teleported them to another realm.

The King and Toshiro had entered the Soul King Realm. Toshiro's eyes widened with the amount of destruction that was the realm. He couldn't even sense the noble members of Squad Zero. The King guided Toshiro to a part of the Soul King realm, that he had no idea existed. The King turned to Toshiro with a serious expression. "Hitsugaya-taichou, what I'm about to ask you is the upmost important thing that will need to be kept a secreteven in death, understand?" Toshiro nodded. "Yes sir." The king sighed softly before suddenly coughing violently making Toshiro catch him before he fell. "Your Majesty!"

"Hitsugaya-taichou, I need you to return to the past, way before you were born, before Aizen Sosuke became a Shinigami." Toshiro eyes widened at the words coming out the most powerful being's mouth. "Are you sure I'm the right person?" The king smiled tiredly. "I can't think of anyone else that would be the best person for this job." He shakily stood up straight and headed over to a doorway that looked broken. He turned over to Toshiro. "Hitsugaya-taichou, don't allow anyone to know you're from the future and make sure you murder Aizen before he becomes immortal." Toshiro's eyes narrowed as he nodded. "Understood my lord." Toshiro said.

The king's serious face melted into relief. "Thank you, Hitsugaya-taichou." He then snapped his fingers making the doorway light up. "There is no return, Hitsugaya-taichou." Toshiro then smirked. "I never expected to return once you told me about your plan." The king chuckled softly. "I'll be sealing a lot of your reiatsu away, so you'll have to train and wait for some time until it unlocks. Some require time while others will require training. Good luck, Hitsugaya Toshiro." Toshiro nodded in understandment and walked into the doorway.

The King watched the light from the doorway dimmed and it was no more. He turned around and watches as the worlds repair itself, slowly. "It's probably going to take centuries for the worlds to fully repair itself. Good luck, taichou." The king said to himself.

Toshiro woke up in a forest 200 years before he actually does in his original timeline and he arrived 50 years before Ichigo invaded the Soul society. He sits up from his laying-stomach position. By looking at his tiny hands, he quickly came to the dreadful conclusion that he was in his child-like body again. Toshiro shakily stands up and looks around his environment and notices the forest was familiar to him. ‘I think I’m in Junrinan.’ Toshiro thought to himself.

Once Toshiro managed to gain his balance, he dusted his green kimono that was quite similar to his kimono that he wore before meeting Rangiku. He ran his hand through his snowy white hair and slowly walked to Junrinan town. However, once Toshiro managed to get used to his small legs, his pace quickened.

The town was exactly the same as Toshiro remembered it being from his childhood. When he entered the town, many residents glanced at him and whispered to the other person. Toshiro already gathered what they’re talking about as he had already been through this before. He looked around, looking for the leader of the town without asking for help from the residents. 

“Are you lost, young man?” An elderly voice spoke from behind Toshiro. Toshiro stopped walking and turned his body to the side to look at the elder who spoke to him. Toshiro instantly recognised her as his granny, just younger, but he knew he couldn’t call her that as they do not know each other and it would be disrespectful. Toshiro shook his head. “Not really. I’m looking for the elder of Junrinan.” Granny smiled at Toshiro and nodded. “Let me help you.” Toshiro’s eyes softened. “You don’t have to ma’am.” The woman just smiled. “I don’t but I want to. It doesn’t fit right with me if a young man such as yourself is wandering around lost.” Toshiro sighed softly, knowing he couldn’t argue with the woman he respects the most, even if she was from a different timeline. “Okay.” Toshiro said. The woman smiled and led Toshiro to the hut where the leader lives.

“I never got your name, young man.” Granny said, glancing at him at the corner of her eye. Toshiro turned to her slightly shocked, he never expected her to want to know his name as the way they met this time was much different than how they met originally. “My name is Toshiro Hitsugaya.” The woman smiled. “My name is Ayame Hinamori. It is lovely to meet you, Toshiro-kun.” Toshiro smiled lightly. 

They soon got to the hut and Ayame knocked on the door. Soon the door opened to reveal another elder. The elder looked happy to see Ayame. “Ah! Ayame-san, how may I help you?” He asked, happily. Ayame smiled and looked at Toshiro. “This young man wanted to meet with you.” The elder looked at Toshiro, he was surprised by Toshiro’s colouring but he smiled and invited the two in but Ayame refused as she has things to do. 

Toshiro found himself sitting in the large room in front of the firepit with a cup of green tea in his hands. “How may I help you, young man?” The elder asked kindly. Toshiro blew on his cup and frowned. “I was hoping to know the date and the events that are happening in the Seireitei. With Junrinan being right next to the Seireitei, I thought you, or at least someone, would know what will be happening.” The elder was surprised by Toshiro’s request. “I’m surprised that someone as young as you know what the Seireitei is. You look like you just arrived at the Soul Society.” Toshiro huffed softly and took a sip of his green tea. “I arrived a while ago and people do talk. One thing a lot of people believe is because I’m young, they think I just arrived at the Soul Society.” Toshiro half-lie to the elder. The elder blinked before chuckling a bit in embarrassment as he too believed that. “You are correct. As of right now, it is the year 1751.” Toshiro nodded. ‘204 years before my life as a human ended.’ Toshiro thought. ‘Which also means this is 250 years before everything goes to shit with Aizen.’ “I see. What about the Seireitei?” Toshiro asked. Elder hummed and drank some of his tea. “Not much is happening in the Seireitei. It’s just the same. Shinigamis defeat hollows and do what they usually do.” Toshiro nodded. “Thank you.” Toshiro said, drinking his tea. The elder then sighed. “The only problem that I’m aware of is dangerous.” Toshiro raised a brow. “Dangerous?” The elder nodded. 

“Do you know a man called Koga Kuchiki?” asked the Elder. Toshiro knew the name from the Zanpakuto Rebellion, he was Byakuya Kuchiki’s uncle. “No, I've never heard of that name. Is he a noble?” Toshiro lied. The elder nodded. “Technically he’s not but he did marry into the family, so he is a noble but not blood-noble.” “Ah. So what is the deal with this Koga Kuchiki guy?” “Recently, he broke out of his prison and is now killing innocent Rukon citizens in other districts.” The elder sighed sadly, feeling sorry for the poor citizens that had been killed by a now insane Shinigami. Toshiro frowned, not liking what he heard. “That is not good.” “I agree.” 

The two sat in silence until the elder spoke up again. “If you don’t mind me asking, young man, why did you want to know about the Seireitei? It couldn’t just be because people talk.” Toshiro smirked lightly. “I’m thinking of joining the Gotei 13 at some point.” The elder blinked in surprise. “Are you sure you want to? Even though you are much older than what you let on, I don’t think, with all due respect, they’ll allow someone as young as you to join the academy.” Toshiro shrugged. “Trust me, with what I have planned, they won’t have no choice but to let me join the Shin O Academy.” The Elder sighed. “I see. Well, good luck.” Toshiro nodded. “Thank you for the information, sir.” The elder smiled and nodded. “No problem, young man.”

After Toshiro finished his drink, he left the hut and walked away from the hut and town. He went back into the forest and sat down under a tree in a meditation position. He concentrated and went into his mindscape. 

Toshiro opened his eyes and saw the familiar ice plane and snow covered ground. He could even see the tall mountains in the distance as well as the frozen lake nearby him. Toshiro stood up and noticed that he was in his adult form. “So, in my mindscape I’m in my adult form while in the outside world, I’m in my child form.” 

A huge gust of cold wind brushed against him as well as a shadow covering his entire being and a lot of the ground. Toshiro looked behind him and saw the other half of his soul. Toshiro smiled at the dragon. “The king did say that your powers would be sealed and you were always put into your child form due to your power being too powerful for your soul to handle until you were able to master it, even if it expanded every day.” “That is true. How are you, Hyorinmaru?” “I am fine. It feels strange not being able to communicate with you without you being in your mindscape.” “It does feel like I have a hole in my heart but as long as I can communicate with you, even if I have to meditate.” Toshiro grinned. Hyorinmaru rumbled in amusement. “Master, what is the plan right now?” Toshiro hummed in thought. “I want to get training, even if I have to start with the basics. It’s not the first time I had to go into the basics.” Toshiro stated. Hyorinmaru nodded. “That seems like a good plan, master. The quicker you train, the quicker I am in your hands.” Stated Hyorinmaru, making Toshiro laugh. 

Toshiro went back into the real world and started training himself. He started with basic exercises and to see how much Reiatsu he has. He has the same amount of Reiatsu that he had when he met Rangiku. “Looks like my reiatsu is the same from when I started as an academy student.” Toshiro stated to himself and put himself through harsh training with a lot of the basics he remembers from the academy but more challenging.

It takes him weeks to gain the power he had as a third seat but the good part was that he had his Zanpakuto in his hands again. While taking a break, Toshiro heard a rustle of bushes and a stick snapping very close to him. Toshiro narrowed his eyes and his eyes stared at the location he heard the noises from without moving a muscle. 

Suddenly, a blade was aimed at him and Toshiro rolled out of the way just in time as the blade sliced the grass. Toshiro got up on his feet and saw a well-toned man with piercing green eyes, shoulder-length black hair, and a long ponytail of red hair, with bangs hanging on the right side of his face to frame it. The one thing that caught Toshiro’s attention was that the man is wearing a Shihakusho. 

Toshiro’s eyes narrowed. ‘A Shinigami. So this must be the infamous Koga Kuchiki.’ Toshiro glared at Koga. “Can I help you, Shinigami?” Koga scowled. “You can help me by dying, boy.” Toshiro frowned. “I can’t help you then.” He said, rolling his eyes. ‘Kuchiki did say that this man was cocky but I didn’t think it would be this much.’ 

Koga gripped his Zanpakuto tightly and dashed over to Toshiro, thinking that Toshiro would not be a problem. However, Toshiro waited for Koga to get close to him before raising his hand towards the insane Shinigami, also taking notice of the two massive Reiatsus drawing near. He points a finger at Koga before saying: “Raimei no basha, itoguruma no kangeki, hikari mote kore o mutsu ni wakatsu, Bakudo #61; Rikujokoro.” Toshiro inchanted and light beams had soon trapped Koga. Very soon after Koga was trapped, the two people that were drawing near had arrived. Koga glared at Toshiro. “How does some Rukon brat like yourself now a high kido?” He growled out, struggling to get out. Toshiro just stared at Koga with no emotion before smirking. “That’s for me to know and for you to never find out as I believe your hunters have arrived.” Before Koga demanded Toshiro to explain what he means, he sees Toshiro pointing at the two people. 

Koga looked over at where Toshiro was pointing at and his eyes widened seeing the Soutaichou, Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto, and his father in-law, Ginrei Kuchiki. “Koga.” said Ginrei. Koga scowled. Toshiro stretched and walked over to his zanpakuto and picked it up. He walked behind a tree and let the two captains deal with Koga.

Once they managed to seal Koga, Toshiro let his kido down. He tied his Zanpakuto around his back and started to walk away. Yamamoto looked at Toshiro. “Young man.” He called out to Toshiro. Toshiro stopped walking and turned his head to Yamamoto, his eyes blinking confusingly. “Yes?” “What’s your name?” “Toshiro Hitsugaya.” Yamamoto was quiet for a few seconds. “How do you know kido?” Toshiro turned his body round to show Yamamoto that he had his fall attention. “I saw someone use it before and I just wanted to see if I could do it, so I tried it out.” Toshiro stated, even though he was lying. Yamamoto just stared at Toshiro with his eyes closed before his attention draws to Toshiro’s Zanpakuto. “That blade-” “My Zanpakuto.” Toshiro interrupted him. That caught Yamamoto’s attention. “Your Zanpakuto? I find it hard to believe.” Toshiro grinned and shrugged. “You can believe it or not but this is my soul and partner.” He said, tapping the hilt at the end. The two stared at each other for a few minutes without any sound. 

Soon Ginrei appeared and saw the two staring at each other. “Yamamoto-Soutaichou.” Ginrei announced his presense. “Kuchiki-Taichou.” Yamamoto acknowledges his presense. Toshiro’s eyes traveled to Ginrei, taking in his appearance. Ginrei notices Toshiro’s staring at him and stares back. “Thank you for your help.” He says. Toshiro looked up at him in surprise. He never expected a Kuchiki to thank a peasant such as himself. “Y-You’re welcome.” Toshiro stumbles over his words. “Soutaichou.” Ginrei said. Yamamoto nodded. “I agree.” Toshiro deadpan. ‘How are these two communicating?!’ Toshiro screams in his mind, he could hear Hyorinmaru laugh in the back of his mind. 

“Hitsugaya.” Ginrei said, gaining Toshiro’s attention. “Yes, Kuchiki-Taichou?” Ginrei crossed his arms. “How do you feel about joining the Shin O Academy?” Toshiro blinked in surprise, not expecting that. “With your Reiatsu and your easy-to-pick-up kido technquies, even the fact that you have a Zanpakuto.” Ginrei explained. Toshiro lightly huffed and nodded with a small smile. “It would be an honour to join to the Gotei 13.” Yamamoto nodded. “Kuchiki-Taichou will sort out your documents to join and the academy starts in 3 weeks. Good luck.” That was all Yamamoto said as he walked away.

[gallusrostromegalus]

I love everything you are doing with Orihime, if it's not too much troble, I wanted to hear more of what she does when she get kidnapped. Also did Rukia try anything when she got sentenced to death for bulshit crimes? It's been forever since I read the manga, so I don't remember what rukia was feeling exactly during this time, if she accepted the whole thing bc she has spent way too much time in the soul society that she just didn't see it how much bulshit it was or something else, or if it was just your standard damsel in distress thing

Rukia behaves in the calm, rational but firm way you'd expect out of a seated officer, especially a lieutenant that earned her position through hard work and demonstration after demonstration that she could be trusted with such a position.

...Byakuya, on the other hand, was appointed to his position by birthright as the latest scion of a long but narrow line of people who retained their power by violence as social standing. So when Byakuya experiences the psychotic crisis of "the people you respect the most want the person you love the most dead", the coinflip of his emotions lands on tails in AEIWAM.

*****

"...To Death?" She asked, staring at Renji.

"Yeah." He winced, shifting uncomfortably.

"...For a Misdemeanor Infraction that, per code 3.15.27846 sub-section 42-4, carries a MAXIMUM penalty of a month's suspension without pay while a performance review is conducted, and, pending the review, possible termination of my job, not my whole person?" She continued.

"...Um. Yeah, yeah that's the official rules per the Shingami Legal Manual." Said Renji. "It's real fuc- it's very peculiar and I'm honestly not sure what to make of it. Also, when did you learn to quote the manual like-"

"I'm a Goddamn Lieutenant, I know the law, and this stinks on ice." She glared. "I know I'm not allowed to question the orders or ask who issued them, but did you double-check that this is, in fact, what they meant to send, and didn't give you the memo for someone else or send out the wrong butterfly?"

"Um." Renji winced, pointedly studying the wall to his left. "Kuchiki-Taicho went to do that as soon as he saw the order."

Rukia blanched. "Renji. When did he leave?"

"He left for the central 46's liaison office directly from the 6th division's office when we got the order about an hour ago. I wanted to go with him, but he insisted that he could handle it and that you should get the news from me rather than a stranger."

"Abarai Renji." She spoke, voice low and dangerous. "Do you remember what happened the first day I came home from the 13th division boot camp with that shiner?'

"Yeah, Kuchiki-taicho broke into Ukitake-taicho's house with Senbonsakura at 2AM because he thought someone had hit yo-" Renji laughed then stopped. "-Oh."

"You let my brother, the absolute last person you can expect to behave in a rational and restrained manner to any perceived threats to my person, go off to visit someone who just issued an order for my extermination? UNSUPERVISED?" She growled.

Renji stood, paralyzed in wide-eyed horror. "I. uh. I gotta go prevent some treason." he sputtered, before bolting from the room.

***** "I fucked up, I fucked up, I fucked uuuuuup-" Gin hissed under his breath as he ran through the maze of buildings that made up the central government's compound. "Sure Gin! Keep feeding him spiritual power Gin! It'll fix everything Gin! No way he's going to cause a massive inter-dimensional destabilization event Gin!"

He turned the corner to the central 46's liaison office, just to the side of the sealed gate, and sprinted for the small office at the base of the tower all Hell butterflies issued from, where the Gate's security guard and the Liaison worked.

"Hey guys sorry to burst in here but it's kind of an Emergen... cy." Gin shouted and then sputtered as something warm splashed underfoot. He looked down to find that the previously-beige carpet of the Liaison's office was now a deep and unpleasantly wet crimson. Behind him, there was a faint creak as the unsealed and unguarded gate swayed lightly in the breeze.

"Oh." Gin realized, wilting. "I'm in deep shit."

[writtenbyariavargas]

Day 9

Voice Loss - Ukitake Jūshiro

Illness cw, illness tw, chronic illness cw, chronic illness tw,

Hundreds of years of having the same cough, the same symptoms were enervating. My fellow shinigami, fellow captains, all knew my health struggles. They had prevented me from being at my best for longer than I could remember. Sometimes I wished that I didn’t struggle as much. My fellow captains were patient with me though. Even Yama-jii was patient when my symptoms flared up.

The bad days were hard. They put me out of commission and all I could do was rest. Many times the ones who would inevitably wake me were my co-third seats Kiyone and Sentaro. Both had good hearts. I appreciated what they did for me, especially on those particularly rough ones.

It was a week of day after day of no energy and coughing. I hadn’t been too present in the office, hadn’t been able to make it to a captain’s meeting, and just couldn’t get the rest I needed. Those two kind souls would bring me tea, anything I needed. It seemed to me that they were overly worried though. It wasn’t the first time I’d been out for a week, but it had been the first in a while that the coughing took a toll on my voice. It started off that my voice was hoarse, my throat was sore, and it continued. By the end of that week I could just barely speak, barely get a few words out through the soreness and the coughing.

Instead of continuing to lay I’d chosen to sit and try to do some paperwork. Double checking and filling the papers out wasn’t too rough on my body, just more mentally exhausting when my body was already tired. While I worked I had some quiet. Normally both my co-third seats would come together. It was odd just seeing Kiyone come to me alone. I welcomed her in with a wave of my hand and she came in, kneeling before me.

“What can I do for you Kiyone-chan?” I asked softly, trying my best to not strain my voice more than it already had been.

“Taicho… I got you some throat lozenges to try to help you out. I heard that they used them in the World of the Living whenever someone was coughing or had a sore throat,” she answered and handed me a small bag.

I gave her a warm smile. Always so thoughtful of her. I took the bag and gave her a soft pat on the head. Her cheeks flushed pink and I couldn’t help but be warmed by it. She was still so young, but she had a heart of gold. She cared quiet a lot for those around her and I appreciated the way she did. Without asking, Kiyone stood and started to brew me some tea. I took a lozenge out of the bag, then popped it into my mouth. It tasted of honey and lemon. She came back with the tea on a tray and set it next to my futon.

“Taicho, could I sit with you?” She asked timidly.

I nodded.

We sat there in silence as we drank tea. I knew she was still worried for me. It wasn’t hard to see in her tense muscles, but for now I wasn’t struggling for breath or coughing.