Different yet the same

[Darkoda]

The wind blew through the field at a gentle pace, slightly ruffling the hair of the woman in the middle. She paid no more to it than she did to the rest of background noise; she was well trained, not only as a shinigami, but as one of the most lethal swordswomen of the Sengoku era, and she hadn’t become complacent enough to let herself be distracted that easily.

Deep, controlled breaths, focusing one’s power throughout their body as closed eyes still saw everything around them. Her hands tightened around the nodachi as red-violet reiatsu pooled into the blade, then with a swing faster than most eyes could perceive, a distinct vacuum formed in the air. Rin watched the metal wall in front of her as a thin line appeared lengthwise down the surface, before the whole thing split in two. Despite all the abilities granted by reiatsu, she was a swordswoman at heart –

Mainly because you’re barely competent as everything else

And the art of the distance slash was something she could stand proud of – she was certain that hers was one of the most potent at least; most shinigami couldn’t actually harm someone on their level with those. Of course, that was more due to Chibara’s nature than anything; a sword sharp enough to slice the air itself in the hands of a master swordswoman made for a lethal weapon.

Your sword skills may be sharp, but others have dulled since your time alive.

The next slash left a jagged cut across another wall, severing it the same.

And some things stay the same.

“I’m going to regret this, but what are you talking about?”

Her two zanpakuto spirits took this time to materialize themselves, and Rin knew that she wasn’t going to like this.

‘Where to start; you have enough issues to keep us occupied for decades. But, to start with the pressing ones, your denial of everything about you.’

‘You still refuse to acknowledge anything outside of your safety zone.’ Bara cut in before Rin could defend herself. ‘Even when it’s detrimental to your well-being.’

‘Makes sense that you would end up liking someone who wears his heart on his sleeve. Opposites attracting and all that.’

The third slash left a deep gouge in the ground and left the target scratched, but still whole.

‘See? Even now, you’re pretending to ignore us but your control’s shot to pieces. And you wonder why you can’t control the embodiment of your nature.’

He is a friend. A friend and nothing more, and he thinks of me in the same way.

‘You’re getting pretty worked up over this friend, almost as bad as when we discuss Kubi. Quite the coincidence there.’

This was going nowhere.

[Wanzer]

The seireitei was pleasant as always, a calm day with the trees in bloom and the cherry blossoms just now turning their shade of pink. It was a beautiful place and why shouldn’t it be? Inside the walls of this sacred place resides the Shinigami, the death gods, what other reason should there be for them to live comfortably and in a beautified setting. It was for this very reason, Makkuro had left his squad to their own devices for the day. After all, the recent battles, shock and surplus of drills had left them exhausted. Those who were not on duty were encouraged to pursue some productive means of leisure; however, the overzealous ones still went to work as usual, causing Makkuro to heave a small sigh of frustration. This was to be a day of rest for all of those not on duty, but still…he couldn’t help but smile at their commitment to the Shinigami cause. On this day, he had already dropped in on the other captains with the exception of Laetitia whom he had learned to fear lately. Pleasantries were of course exchanged and Makkuro found himself in the best of moods, why even the Captain of squad 12 had allowed him to speak with him today. Yet, now he was on the last barracks of the day…and the meeting he had been dreading the most. Shimizu Rin…his zanapakuto spirit, Diamyoo Meuma, had been pestering him to visit her for sometime…and it was precisely that reason why he had been putting off the visit. The last time the pair had seen each other was just prior to her giving him, her hat. He now held the object in his hand carefully, the little memento, still in perfect condition. There was heat in his face as he touched the trim of it, running his fingers over the fine quality.

It really is an exquisite hat isn’t it Makkuro?

Yes…I suppose it is.

For an exquisite woman.

Makkuro did not respond to this, he heaved a small sigh, he had to get on with it. Meuma would always be on his case about this if he didn’t It had suggested he be more aggressive with her, but that wasn’t how he worked. In fact he didn’t even know if she thought of him that way. The scary thing was, he didn’t know how he felt either; instead, he felt awkward and his cheeks flared with heat, coloring out like two large apples whenever Meuma would say anything about her. Right now, he was standing at the entrance to their barracks. Deciding that he would have to apologize to Shimizu, he proceeded to gather a flock of flowers, mostly Tsutsujis and Ajisai’s, but he supposed coming with something was better than nothing…hell he didn’t even know if she liked flowers. He began to feel the heat rising on the back of his neck as he realized how this most look. Heaving another awkward sigh, he just placed one foot in front of the other and continued on through the barracks.

That’s it Makkuro…you can do this…just go on through and tell her how you feel. It won’t be that hard…I can tell you like her, so you should go for it. You won’t regret it at all!

Meuma…please shut up…this is a casual meeting…give up all the love stuff!

As he entered into the region where Rin was practicing, he smiled weakly at her. His face was glowing again from all the things Meuma was saying, but at least he wasn’t showing any bodily signs aside from the blushing. “Ahh…Captain Shimizu…I brought your hat back…sorry I hadn’t done so before and to make amends, I brought you these. I don’t know if you like flowers though…so if you don’t I’m sorry…..” Makkuro let it out all weakly and he suddenly felt like rushing from the area. What the hell was he doing there? Why had he let Meuma talk him into this.

[Darkoda]

Rin had given up any pretence of practicing, instead focusing on resisting the urge to throttle her zanpakuto. Their obsession with her love life, or lack thereof was about as bad as the arguments over her relations to Kubi. She was keeping herself in check outwardly - she had centuries of practice of hiding her emotions and was quite proficient at it, but she knew full well that at this rate she needed to stay away from her subordinates lest one of them end up being the unlucky recipient of one of her slips in control.

She was so focused on the two of them that she didn’t notice Shiboo until he was practically on her, holding – were those flowers?

‘What was that about just being friends?’

Just because he brought flowers doesn’t mean anything! I’m sure that there are friends that give each other flowers. That didn’t sound convincing even to her.

‘Yep, the kind of friends who want to be something more.’

‘He thought ahead enough to not go with roses. At least he’s got some originality.’

Rin gently took the flowers from Shiboo, cradling them with care – he went through the trouble of bringing them, it was only polite to accept them. It wasn’t as if she really liked flowers that much or anything, these simply smelled nice, and happened to be her favourite colours.

‘Suuuuure, you don’t like flowers. That’s why you’re smiling like a kid in a candy store right now.’

Shut up! This is a normal, polite smile!

‘Well for normal people, yes, but for you? This is near the equivalent of you gushing over something.’

‘You haven’t even noticed your precious hat yet.’

In the span of half a second, the hat was gone from Shiboo’s grip, twirling around Rin’s finger while her other hand still cradled the flowers to her face.

“Hmm, I thought that you managed to get my hat destroyed and was trying some madness to replace it. You kept it safe; now I won’t have to hurt you.” Despite her light-hearted, almost....cheerful tone....no, she was actually being completely cheerful for once, without her normal hint of somberness.

‘Rin’s surprisingly weak to flowers for a tomboy.’

‘She’s not even listening to us....we’ll have to save this for later.’

[Wanzer]

“I’m glad you won’t have to hurt me Rin…I’ve seen what you’ve done to hollows and Arrancar in the past, I’m not sure I could handle that!” Makkuro said with a slight laugh, trying to act completely natural in the situation, but Meuma’s words had gotten to him. Did he really have feelings for the Captain of Squad Thirteen? Maybe he did and Makkuro was never really one to beat around the busy, so why now? He was acting like a shy little kid with some secret and now matter what, he couldn’t get it out! This was not only embarrassing for him as the Captain of Squad Three, but had to be embarrassing for Rin as well; especially after what she had said about her zanpakuto spirits. Makkuro slowly allowed his body upright, but his smile and eyes remained transfixed on her. At this point his thoughts betrayed him, what had been casual friendship had changed in his head. It was attraction, something that he had never really dealt with before.

My God…I’ve been such a fool…she is gorgeous, but would she really go for someone like me? I’m hardly strong and I’m such a greenhorn. I don’t know what she likes…I mean what do I do in this situation now. Shit…Meuma!

Finally admitting you like the tomboy who can kick your ass Makkuro? I always knew you were a little masochistic, but damn son! You’re really going to pursue her? Well, best of luck to you and all I can say is…let her know how you feel and continue what you’re doing. She obviously likes you as it is, otherwise she wouldn’t be smiling like she is….by the way…If you hook up with her, you better hope to go her zanpakuto spirits are hot, or I’m going to kick your ass so far down to…

Makkuro cut Meuma off at that point, no longer caring what he had to say, his eyes had misted partially over. A sense of longing had come over him, but he wasn’t showing it with anything other than his eyes. He cleared his throat, finally ready to speak after realizing the two were just staring at each other, he was still soft though. God…I am so weak, he thinks, I wish I could just say what I needed to say instead of beating around the bush like this. Chivalry…does she really like things like that? Does she want me to be polite and well-mannered…what am I saying…just ask her…that is all I have to do…that is it.

“I’m glad you liked that flowers Rin…I…well I didn’t know if you would. I picked them with you in mind and well…I…umm…”

He stopped himself, God…he was stuttering. Feeling like an idiot, he finally took in a breath and looked Rin in her eyes. Just as he had when they had first met, he let his body spark, ignite and take control of his mind for this one moment. He was the male after all…so he should take the initiative here shouldn’t he?

You’re so pathetic Makkuro, just ask damn it!

“Rin…are you busy tonight?” Makkuro finally got it to squeak out of his throat, though he said it with perfect diction. Oh God…I really asked….

"I'm sorry...that was inapproprate of me..." Makkruo said quietly after speaking, glancing downward. He felt like a fool, he shouldn't have been so blantant, especially when he didn't even know what she thought of him!

[Darkoda]

Hmm, Shiboo was acting shy and withdrawn again; experience had taught her that meant the captain had something he wanted to say, but couldn’t figure out how to say it. At least he wasn’t surrounded with gloom so it wasn’t something particularly pressing this time. Maybe he wanted advice again. Ah well, she was in a good enough mood to wait for him to come around instead of trying to pry it out this time.

‘Go for it you pansy knight! Do it already!!’

Despite the peanut gallery’s general impatience.

‘Will our knight grow a pair? ’

“I’m glad you liked that flowers Rin…I…well I didn’t know if you would. I picked them with you in mind and well…I…umm…”

The flowers again? He was actually stalling for time now; this was a new development.

‘He’s going to chicken out.’

‘Ah well, there’s little point if he can’t grow the spine to spit it out.’

‘Whatever it is, if it’s important he’ll say it soon enough.‘

And he did, in quite the abrupt way.

‘That was unexpected.’

‘He skipped right to the fun part? I underestimated the knight.’

Rin was tuning out her spirits, more interested in Shiboo’s current state. She didn’t get what he was so worried about; it was just a case of some poor wording, but she knew him well enough.

“Don’t worry about it; I’m certain that you didn’t mean it in a perverted way, not with your code of chivalry. What do you want to do that needs to wait until night though?”

The sound of two simultaneous face-faults echoed through Rin’s mind.

‘She.......she can’t be this dense....’

‘She honestly sees him as incapable of sexual thought; what kind of image does she have of medieval chivalry?’

‘The stutter knight’s going to have a hard time of it at this rate. I’m not sure if he’d have been better off if Rin took it the other way and gave him a black eye. I almost pity the indecisive fool.’

[Wanzer]

As the words escaped his lips, all doubts and inhibitions left Makkuro; when Rin hadn’t immediately turned him down and instead asked that question, his heart and courage soared. He smiled gaily at the woman, though not so much to make her think him creepy; instead, it was just one of the tender smiles that Makkuro was so renowned for around the Seireitei. It was to this degree that he finally found the ability to stand on his own two feet and tune out Meuma, whom couldn’t seem to get the idea of sexual action off his mind. Seriously ALL ZANPAKUTO SPIRITS ARE VOYUERS! Makkuro wanted to scream, but right now, he was far too happy and care free to bother with his pervert of a zanpakuto. Giving his sword a rap on the top of the hilt, the shook his head and asked for forgiveness in the matter.

“I apologize for that abrupt motion, but if I had to listen to one more word out of my zanpakuto’s mouth, I was afraid I would chuck him in the nearest river and leave him there. In any case, Rin…I was thinking maybe we could have dinner together…maybe just go for a walk or something, get to know each other better than we do right now. As it stands were are solely on a professional relationship; perhaps we could see where the path could take us otherwise?...I….wow…that sounded really perverted now that it came out of my mouth…Not that I meant in that way, I was thinking we could just get closer…and there it went again…wow I did not want to sound that way…not that…you aren’t…well…attractive enough to warrant that…..I’m going to shut up now and pray you don’t cut me in half.”

Wow….just…wow…Makkuro if you were any WORSE of an orator, I swear you would be dead already. That was the most pitiful excuse of a flirtation and/or asking someone out on a date I have ever seen. You sir, need to get out more…you need to learn how to communicate with women. I mean what was that…you stammering like an idiot, make up your damn mind!

Meuma…I swear to go I really will throw you in the river if you do not shut up. I will tie rocks around you and leave you there for a week, then come back after that. If you have a problem with me, then take a hike damnit, cause I don’t want to hear it right now. My mind is set on this. Yes, I am following your advice and attempting something. So until this night is over, I don’t want to hear another word from you.

I make no promises.

How about this Meuma, if you promise to keep your ranting and raving to a minimum. I'll be sure to tone down on my sour candies for a month.

Make it two months and start using some mouth wash and some cologne and we have a deal.

Meuma, you know I hate wearing cologne...I hate that more than anything. The mouth wash is understandable, but I always brush and flosh.

Your oral hygenine demands that you use mouth wash damn it! I want to see those damn teeth and gums sparkle! I will not possess a body that does not have perfect teeth.

Meuma, you are the one crazy spirit

I'm a part of you aren't I?

Touche, alright agreed.

Good!
Makkuro waited now for Rin’s answer, he was blushing profusely as his cheeks burned as if a fire had been placed against them. In fact, not only his cheeks, but the entire line from the cheeks and across the nose had lit up. He couldn’t believe he had just asked her, but it was far too late to have any regrets. No he had to push forward and allow it to happen; otherwise, he would never know if she could be the one.

[Darkoda]

Shiboo was definitely acting odder than usual; he went from deepest fear to smiling again – that wasn’t the weird part, he was always like that – but he still seemed highly nervous about something. How interesting; was she going to have to start wheedling it out of him? Now that she was ready for it, she could better appreciate Shiboo’s second round of shoving his foot down his throat; he still wouldn’t appreciate her laughing at him, but taking care of him was amusing in its own way.

Most people don’t like playing mother and lover at once.

Unless you have an Oedipus fetish. But then, you could consider us your children in some ways even if we’re the ones doing the mothering.

That is the most disturbing thing you have ever said Chi. I’m really going to have nightmares about that.

Don’t change the subject.

I don’t have any romantic attraction towards Shiboo, and I am not a mother. I am sisterly at best. All he wants is to get to know me better as friends and I don’t see the problem with that.

Aren’t you already friends? And dinner sounds a bit more intimate than that.

Must be a chivalry thing. Besides, he’s a nice guy; he probably does this for everyone.

That’s......... probably true.

Grinning internally at her victory, Rin shifted gears to Shiboo. He was more flusteed than usual, and as a friend, it was her duty to make it worse. “A river....not a bad idea, but they would materialise and walk out...” Okay, so she was deliberately drawing things out some more, but seeing Shiboo panic was too much fun. “Just a professional relationship? I thought that we were at least friends by now. And I let you call me by my first name all this time too; how cruel.” The problem here was that you couldn’t really tell if Rin was being serious or not.

Rin, you’re evil.

“Well, I accept your invitation; I should give you the chance to get out of the hole you just dug. I think you should check in with 4th Division first though; your face is flushed. A fever would explain a lot....”

Well, we all know who is going to wear the pants if the knight manages not to screw this up.

Still, if Rin just sees him as someone who needs looking after, she’d treat him like Kubi more or less. Hopefully, Rin can inspire him to grow a spine.

I can hear you two......

You hear but you don’t listen. You should work on that.

[Wanzer]

“Well…It has been a very long time since I asked anyone on a date before…I didn’t know what to say and next thing I know I was falling all over myself. I’m sorry if that all seemed so horribly awkward to you…I do, consider us friends Rin…I was just asking if we could be more possibly? I don’t know if you really knew my intent on this…I apologize for being so vague, but yes I am attracted to you Rin…I don’t know exactly what it is. At first I thought I was just being polite, but the more and more I’ve come to think about it…the more I realized that I cared for you. I do not know if you reciprocate these feelings…I just know that…you’ve always been kind to me and that is why I’ve asked. I did not want you to think this was something that it was not…like you said I’m chivalrous and I would never deceive a lady….no matter how much I desired her.” Makkuro said this all honestly, though his face was still alight, his head had grown light and he couldn’t believe that had all just come out of his mouth. His zanpakuto spirit was no on the warpath in his mind, but he was too busy looking at Rin, almost pleading with her. So weak must he have seemed right now…how pathetic that the Captain of Squad 3 should be here, almost begging for a date. It was sad really, such a noble man, brought down by the wiles of a woman.

MAKKURO, you idiot! You infernal idiot, you two could have gotten drinks together and you could have brought her back drunk! She obviously wouldn’t go for a guy like you otherwise, there went your one chance. I mean come on! I bet she couldn’t even hold that much liquor, you could have had her sipping on it…taken her home and I mean RODE that rear end till the cows came home! No…just no…Makkuro, you should take some pointers from those frat boys down in America. See…they know what they are doing and get it all the time. You…you never get any…I mean COME ON! You had her so ready to go…but no…Mr. Chivalry has to rear his ugly head.

Meuma

Don’t give me that you idiot! I mean you had the perfect opportunity and you gave it up! You blew it! You absolutely blew it…I just…ugh I am so furious with you! You gave up so much information and you look like a freaking puppy right now.

Hey…puppies are cute and women go for cute right?

Just…just shut up and let me rant at you.

How about I say no, keep you on your agreement and wait for what Rin says, then we can talk this over. I will do things my way alright? You have no say in my personal affairs, only combat…you may voice your opinion, but as of this instant; you have lost your privileges to you voice as our contract decrees.

What contract?

Oh you know the one we just agreed on? About me cutting back on sour candies, using cologne and mouth wash? That contract, which I took to the time to mentally make a legally binding contract over.

Wait what?

Yes sir, those classes in law really did wonders.

When did you take a class in law!?

While you taking that two year long nap.

Why didn’t you tell me!?

Because I figured this would be useful..

I….you suck….

Hey you are part of me, so you must suck too.

Touche.

Makkuro having finally beaten his spirit into submission for a moment, shifted his feet anxiously. He couldn’t wait to hear what Rin had to say this time and he was probably a thousand times more nervous than he was previously. It was out in the open now…no room for misinterpretation…it was either she agreed to this and agreed with his feelings, or she said no. That was all that could happen now, sure it would hurt for a moment, but even if she said no…he hoped they would remain friends or at least professional.

[Darkoda]

“Well…It has been a very long time since I asked anyone on a date before…”

That was enough information for Rin. She had hoped that her spirits were being their usual self, but even she had started to note that something was off. Granted, she did attribute it to his chivalrous nature, and her research on it was so contradictory that she really had no reason to believe that this wasn’t Shiboo’s natural behaviour, but with him finally stating it outright, Rin had to deal with it now.

Well, it wasn’t as if this hadn’t happened before, although she had hoped that people had finally given up on trying, but then Shiboo was a new captain. She would just have to let him down as gently as she could without being misinterpreted.

Or you could actually give it a chance.

What would be the point? It would just build his hopes and make the inevitable even worse for him.

Oh?

Rin did not like the sound of that.

Worse for him, or worse for you?

Yep, definitely going in a bad direction.

What is that supposed to mean?!!

You cannot say that you dislike Shiboo, and he is certainly not just an acquaintance.

What you actually feel for him.....is questionable. It might just be you riding high on actually having a good friend for once, or it might be because you actually are in love again. For once you aren’t living in denial; you really don’t know so we aren’t sure.

But as of now, you’re just running away because you’re afraid of finding out. We won’t accept such a cowardly excuse.

Weren’t you the one who said that people deserve an honest answer for getting the nerve to actually confess to you? You’re still quite intimidating even though you’ve moved on from your ice queen phase. That and Shiboo is a bit of a flake.

.....Fine. An honest answer....

She supposed that their latest fight took a couple of minutes or so. Ah well, she’d just fall back to how she dealt with stuff like this when alive; speak without bothering to think about it, and to hell with what others thought about it.

“Shiboo.....I can’t say that I’m attracted to you like that...........but I cannot say that I’m not either. I’m not particularly sure what you mean to me, but if you can live with that.......I can at least give you the opportunity to try.”

A thought came to mind that put one of her grins on her face. “This means that you need to be assertive for once. This should be interesting if nothing else.”

[Wanzer]

Makkuro’s heart sunk lower than it ever had as Rin looked at him; something was going on inside of her, but he didn’t know what it was. As the silence grew he could hear a few whispers in the background, his trained ears picking out a few giggling voices. What exactly were they saying? Something about him and Rin he presumed, but it really was none of his business. Makkuro knew he was not a handsome man, or rather knew he was not what many would call handsome. He was homely and looked as if he would be more suitable out on a farm somewhere, instead of in a Captain’s Haori. His pre-maturely graying hair, the stress lines about his face and eyes…it must have made him seem rather awkward with the many younger looking men of the Seireitei around. As his mind slowly plagued him with doubts on what she must think of his advance; his eyes found the ground to particularly gorgeous that day, as that was what he was staring at. Unable to pull his eyes away from that point; he waited for the rejection to come now, as it surely must. Every moment was like an eternity now, time slowed as Rin conversed with her inner spirits, unbeknownst to him. Yet, he should have realized this…they had already discussed it previously. Their spirits were both nuisances that badgered and berated almost everything they did, so birds of a feather really; perhaps that was why he was so attracted to Rin, not the physical but rather they could relate to each other. In his mind that was a perfectly good explanation for it, they hadn’t really talked that often, but something just seemed to click. He couldn’t really explain it for the life of himself, but it was there. Since they had first met almost, there was a non-verbal communication between them; or so he had believed. Physical flirtation is what one of his subordinates had called it, expressing distaste. Maybe he didn’t like the idea of his captain doing something like that, but what matter was it now? Rin was surely about to turn him down.

I wish she would just hurry up and reject me! This suspense is driving me insane. This was a horrible idea, why did I ever let you talk me into this Meuma? I’ve probably completely ruined my relationship with Shimizu…ugh…what the hell was I thinking listening to you. Your advice always sucks, how could I have been so stupid to listen to you.

Hey, hey…calm down you…she hasn’t said no yet, maybe she is just shocked. No…wait…you are probably right. Oh well, my bad. Try again later Makkuro, I’m sure she’ll eventually come around to you.

You’re a dick.

Part of you aren’t I?

Yep, the part I’m going to cut off when I get home.

Ok…now that…that is just wrong. Makkuro was about to further drill Meuma when Rin finally spoke. He looked up fully expecting her to tell him to get lost, but then she surprised him. Holy Shit…she said yes. Meuma echoed with Makkuro inside of their mind as they stared at her almost dumb-founded as the normally confident Rin seemed to stumble over her words. She had never shown this side; in fact, he could have sworn she had temerity in everything she did, but to see her like this now. It made her…cute…in a sense. She was already beautiful, but the sight of this powerful woman, stumbling over her words…that gave him a bit more courage. That faze was gone in a heartbeat though, when she stated that he’d have to be the assertive one this once.

Ok…no need to panic, I can do this…assertive…assertive…shit…no I can’t….Oh…wow…that…was a messed up thought. Wow…I’m gonna need a gallon of brain soap later and a cold shower….or two. Makkuro thought to himself imagining some of the…implications of being assertive. Grinning though in response to hers, he reached and took her hand into his. “Alright then, I’ll see what I can do for you, but I want to show you something. You might have already seen it, but I always like to think of it as my little secret.” Speaking quickly as he moved rapidly out of the barracks and heading for the edge of the Seireitei.

Seems someone is a lot more upbeat and should be oweing someone else an apology.

Yep, I'm sorry dick, you do give good advice sometimes and I'm sorry that I threatened to cut you off.

I meant me you ass!

Oh...I'm sorry did you say something dick?

I'm never helping you get laid again.

You haven't gotten me laid yet and I doubt will.

You're on the date aren't you? Isn't that enough, I mean can I not trust you to take it from here?

Probably not.

....You're hopeless Makkuro.

Makkuro wasn't paying attention at this point, he was just happy to be alive and on this date. Granted, it wasn't what many would call a date in the traditional sense. More he and Rin were both testing each others waters; even if they were almost complete opposites, something had drawn them together. That had to account for something now didn't it?

[Darkoda]

You do realise that asking him to be assertive implies.

Well we can look at it as a test; if Shiboo can’t figure out what will happen if he tries being a lecher, there’s no point continuing this.

Well that was true more or less; friend or no, he wouldn’t be the first suitor that ended up with a few broken bones at the end – people seemed to keep forgetting that Rin could hit very hard on her own. You’d think they would consider the implications of someone becoming a captain through sheer brute force but no........

A soft pressure on her hand snapped her out of her thoughts, and it was only a massive surge of self control that stopped her from reflexively tossing Shiboo. Really, outside of Kubi she was not used to being touched. This was bad; it would probably be bad if she ended up nearly hurting her...boyfriend? Suitor? Huh.

Just what is Shiboo now?

Boyfriend, suitor, potential fucktoy? I wonder.

Bara, please gag Chi.

Hey, hey! Where did you get that thing?!! Where are you sticking that?! Nooo!!

“So, where is this secret Shiboo?” She managed to get all of that out with her normal confident self. It wouldn’t do for Shiboo to have too easy a time with this; she told him to be assertive, but she was not going to become passive in turn. As it was, she was having a hard time keeping her blush down over the intimate contact. The grin of trouble™ was back in full force.

“You’re not trying to abduct me to a quiet place to have your way with me, are you?”

[Wanzer]

Makkuro started to laugh at Rin’s comment about abducting her and having his way with her. He was intelligent enough to realize he was far outclassed by the other captain; as his zanpakuto was a defense type, he doubted Rin would have any trouble annihilating him in a fight. He knew a few kidou, but nothing that should pose a threat to her and knowing her, she could probably far outclass him in hand-to-hand combat. No…a fight between them would not end in his favor and attempting to force himself was not in his nature. Smiling back at her, he responded casually and suppressed the laughter in his voice. In all his years, he had always assumed he would fall in love with a gentle woman; instead…he had probably fallen for the second or third most battle hardened/insane/powerful woman in the Seireitei. Yet he didn’t seem to mind, in this case he was just happy to not be spending his time alone for once. Something ached at the back of his mind though; he felt as if he should be working with his troops, yet it was his day off. His pride as a captain was demanding he return to his post; however, his feeling as a human demanded he stay. His humanity winning over his pride.

“No, I would never try that and even if I was some sick rapist. You’d kill me before I even so much as got your hakama off of you. So I’d die without seeing anything and completely disgrace my way of life and the honor of the shinigami. Not that they need any help with that considering Laetitia.”

He had found Laetitia to be just as demented if not more so than most people claimed her to be. Curiosity had managed to persuade him to ‘cordially visit the squad nine barracks without an invitation’ a mistake he wished to never make again. The atrocities that he saw committed there were beyond inhuman, he hadn’t been able to sleep for two weeks after that event. The sick laughter and unholy screams of the victims had tainted him for that time, there was a mental scar there; however, he had repressed most of the memory. If he had not, he would have surely caused some sort of scene in front of the other captains and attempt to remove Laetitia from her position. Of course, he had no proof aside from his word, he had taken no pictures; instead, he had only witnessed her depravity with his own eyes. At which point he had to promptly flee, otherwise he would have likely been killed by the subordinates sent after him. Not that any of them could catch him once he started going, shunpo being something he could do with ease and with much more proficiency than any of them could handle. After that ordeal, he had decided it would be best not to tell anyone; after all they all probably knew already and what was worse, didn’t seem to care so long as it got results.

“As for where we are going, it is a little place just outside the walls of the Seireitei. A natural spring forms there, but there is something far lovelier there at dusk and during the night. It is a rather long trip from your barracks though.”

A bow-chicka-wow-wow! Makkuro you dog, I didn’t know you were into things like that!

What the f***! Meuma! I thought we had an agreement…please shut up…God…you are such sick-little-pervert!

Oh I know what you are doing Makkuro…taking her down to the ‘special spot’ huh? So that is why you spent so long down there. You were scoping it out, getting ready to do the dirty out there?

Ok…dude-stop.

Oh come on, when you take her into your arms and begin moving through every step of the Kurma Sutra………you just move your……..then when she takes your………then as she is about to explode……..

WOAH…ok where the f*** did you learn that…no you know what I have no desire to know. Oh God…I…wow…holy…just…woah…I…wow…is it hot in here now?

Haha…you’re acting like you’ve never seen anything like that before!

I haven’t!

Oh.

Just…just shut up…wow......Meuma……I’m going to have to clean you while wearing three pairs of gloves, using a pair of tongues and the most powerful cleaning substance I can find.

Makkuro’s entire body was bright red now from the mental image, which Meuma had transmitted clearly into his head. He had seen every bit of it and now was so hot over it, he couldn’t believe what had just happened. At least he didn’t begin sweating, which he was definitely thankful for. The mental images would have been considered beyond hardcore for most people…it was just freaky shit now.

“Rin…have you’re spirits…said anything disturbing about this yet…because if I have to listen to another word from Meuma…I’m thinking I’m just going to start fighting without a zanpakuto, it really isn’t worth it. Anymore…I can repeat what he just said if you want a clear picture. Though…it is the reason I’m glowing like this right now.”

[Darkoda]

“Huh.”

Rin didn’t know what to think of that; on one hand, Shiboo was clearly being self-depreciating again – while Rin certainly would kill him, she wouldn’t actually claim that she’d manage to murder him that quickly. But then if he was so negative about it, without the will to steel his blade, she really would slash through his zanpakuto and himself with utter ease. She didn’t know if this relationship was going to go anywhere, but as a friend at least, she really needed to beat that nonsense out of him.

On the other hand.....there really wasn’t another hand was there? Well except Laetitia, but that excuse of a shinigami was something to be dealt with another time.

“.........”

She wanted to say something, but...did she really have the right to? That was a bit personal, and after bringing up inappropriate topics already –

Hey, what happened to being honest? I didn’t peg you for the submissive type.

I don’t think this pseudo-date is the best time for me to bring up Shiboo’s......

General spinelessness unless someone lights a fire under him. I suppose you are right, but for the wrong reasons; you are not the kind of person who usually thinks things through too much, no matter how much you want to deny it right now. You act quickly, and work out details along the way. Crude, but it works for you; it’s when you overthink things that problems start.

Rin frankly wasn’t paying too much attention to Shiboo; she did notice him start to blush, but decided that she was probably better off not knowing. Shiboo only confirmed this when he mentioned that his zanpakuto was acting up and planting disturbing imagery in his head. She assumed that meant that his spirit was being a pervert, which was nothing new for Rin to deal with.

The fact that she was so used to Chi’s wild imagination that she didn’t ever react at the thought of another spirit having perverted fantasies should probably worry her.

“Actually, Chi and Bara have been behaving....more or less. I believe that both of them are more concerned with seeing if it’s possible for us to actually end up in a relationship. They’re the ones that convinced me that you meant enough to give a chance.”

Huh, she probably shouldn’t have mentioned that he only had a shot because of her wayward spirits, but it would probably give him more reason to go all out. Besides, she had resolved to have fun on this ‘date’, didn’t she?

“By the way, just what kind of things has Meuma been saying? I’m curious about what could have you blushing so heavily.”

Oh, this ought to be good.

Making Shiboo embarrass himself for your own amusement? You still got some fun left in you after all!

If he can talk about whatever fantasies he has buried deep down with me, it should help him with his confidence problems. Besides, if he can’t handle my teasing, he won’t last when you two eventually harass him.

.....You just want to mess with him.

Yep!

[Wanzer]

Spineless was a poor way to describe Shiboo at this point, out of his element was more accurate. The man hadn’t been on a ‘date’ for centuries; now with all these feelings suddenly shrugging through him, how could he cope? It would be like asking a bird to live without its wings; sure it can be done, but it will be awkward and completely ineffective for a long time. Her presence had been enough to put him on edge previously, but for them to be out like this? That was something to push him over the edge of the abyss and down to the lowest levels; how should he act, what should he do, what was polite and what wasn’t? All of these questions buzzed through his brain like an angry bee, blindsiding his weakest points in furious barrage. What was he to do now? He supposed he had asked for it when he said he’d tell her what his spirit said. So with a calm sigh, he opened his mouth to start.

“Do you just have a death wish or something!? That is the last thing you need to say, but I suppose you’ve put yourself in a rut and now have no way out. Might as well get your shovel ready, you’re gonna be digging for a long time to come kid. Haha, I’m glad I ain’t you, should have kept your mouth shut. Good luck!”

Meuma had already begun to laugh inside of his head, the noise echoing back and forth in a dark triumph. Shiboo supposed he had it coming, after all the pair constantly bickered, but his spirit was always on the losing end, so it must have been natural for the large horse to want some sort of vengeance. Did it have to be now though? He was just when he was getting ready to reach a new stage in a relationship with Rin. Makkuro let out a small sigh at his belligerent spirit, damn him and his dominant personality; it would be his undoing one day he was sure. Such was life though, no one always got what they wanted and no one could predict the future. He just had to dive into it head first and allow himself to work as he should, even if Meuma broke it later. Lucky for him, his spirit was constantly busying himself inside of his head and negligent in forming himself in the human world. That would be a true disaster in every sense of the word; how could he explain to his captain commander or soldiers that his spirit was a loud-mouthed pervert? Spirits were supposed to be the repressed sides of existence which completed them! Breaking from the silence, he began to speak and repeated what his spirit said. Better to be honest and willing to live up to your word than to be a coward.

“Alright well first…he commented about the little spot we were heading to. Commenting I was taking you down there because in his words: I have some nature fetish wishing to ‘do the deed’ out in the open. After that he began speaking about how I was to…’perform’…Ok…bear with me I’ve never knew this existed till he said it. He stated that as we embraced I was to move my hand down slowly across your back and began rubbing. As we err….undressed….I was too take you to the ground passionately then………….” Makkuro repeated what his spirit had said and went through a systemic list of the entire Kama sutra and escalating to a few sexual actions so obscene and kinky that most X-rated movies would never so much as mention them. Of course, nothing to the degree of watersports, but pretty bad, bondage would be considered normal amongst this list. As he went through it his face began to brighten, then pale. It was amazing the man hadn’t turned into a star by the time he had finished, the heat on his face grew rapidly until he stopped. Everything from thrusting speed, movement and the exact positions of their bodies had been covered. He shook his head slowly, while his zanpakuto looked on open mouthed.

“Holy….you actually said everything I did, I mean…wow you just completely repeated everything I had said.”

“I keep my word Meuma, I said I would tell her if she asked and I did. I have no regrets, they weren’t my thoughts as how could I think about something I didn’t know. You have obviously been spending too much time doing things I don’t approve of. From now on I am going to have to monitor your activities.”

“Burn in hell!”

“You first.”

Makkruo responded casually as he breathed quietly and continued to walk on toward his destination. It didn’t matter to him what he had just said. If Rin didn’t want to continue on with him, then she didn’t have to, but wasn’t going back to his barracks for a while. If anything he would spend the time reflecting on how poor his choices had been.

“Well…I wish that my zanpakuto could behave himself like yours; if you don’t want to follow now, that is understandable. I’m sure that perversion has left as bad a taste in your mouth as it has mine. If so, just let me know. Oh and Chi, bara....i owe you a bottle of sake or....I dunno...something you two want for at least getting me this far. I'm sure our firecracker of women right here would have turned me down had you two not convinced her otherwise. Though, I do have to ask...why bother with me? I'm sure she has more....attractive suitors catching your eyes.”

Makkuro said this all with a smile and laugh. Two could tease and he was sure that, that was a constant point of contention between the three....especially if their relationship was like his and Meuma's.

[Darkoda]

This was quite the situation Shiboo managed to get himself into. The poor guy was caught between his chivalry and desire to keep her happy, and the sheer embarrassment that repeating his spirit’s nonsense would trigger. Personally, Rin didn’t particularly care; it couldn’t be any worse than what Chi and Bara had said over the years.

Why am I getting mentioned in there?

You have no sense of tact at times.

I simply have no use for your silly euphemisms. It’s not my fault that you prefer to act innocent because you’re ashamed of your life.

I am not ashamed of anything I’ve done, just the person I chose.

We can talk about Rin’s fun days later; the knight’s going to start and I got popcorn!

The buildup was good, Shiboo’s clear embarrassment was delightful, but the story itself.....huh. She thought that she was prepared for anything, but she certainly didn’t expect that. She felt a bit saddened now; was that what Shiboo had to deal with on a regular basis?

Poor guy, having to put up with that.

Maybe he just doesn’t know how to stop it.

I suppose that I should help him out here.

Now to deal with Shiboo. One thing after another.....

“Well Shiboo, I’m honestly quite shocked.” She waited a few seconds to let her disapproving tone sink in. “I’m really disappointed in your spirit; filling your head with such obscene nonsense. Half of those positions simply aren’t possible unless you have an incredible amount of flexibility, and the one with the chocolate, you do not want sweets to get there, you will regret it later.”

Honestly, what kind of pedestrian pervert was his spirit? It did make sense in some degree though when she thought about it. He was Shiboo’s spirit, and the guy was simply too innocent to really know about the wild side of things. It would be easy to trick him, and Meuma needed to put in little effort, but to someone with experience....

“There is also the issue of the descriptions. While the sentiment of outdoor sex is fun at times, the descriptions used, the fact that he just regurgitated the Kama Sutra...I can only conclude that your spirit is a virgin with an overactive imagination.”

It really does make sense; Shiboo is innocent, so Meuma has little to draw on.

On the other hand, you really were a tomboy in your living years. Not that I’m complaining; those years rocked!

You certainly were at your happiest when you were alive, although you really should have done research before that.....incident.

I thought we agreed to never speak of that again.

True, you did win that hand....next topic! Shiboo admits that he owes us! We can all have a four-

We are not having a foursome.

I was going to say four-way card game. Really, your mind is buried in the gutter.

He is actually questioning us.

And you want to go out and play. Fine, it was going to happen sooner or later anyway.

“Sake seems kinda cheap for the huge favour we’re giving you. I say we take a rain check on that until later.”

A blond haired woman with a devilish grin stepped into place to the right of Shiboo.

“Something we want; that was a bad choice of words.” A brown haired shrine maiden appeared on his left, blatantly assessing Shiboo.

“A firecracker? I thought that I ranked higher than that....” Rin certainly wasn’t leaving him alone either.