Keeping the Peace [C]

[nein]

How I hated the patrol business. I should be back within the safe confines of Seireitei, using my healing hands upon the immortal souls who managed to become wounded in practice or training, not out here amongst the rabble. It bothered me, to say the least, that these people would be so incredibly impotent, unruly, and unmanageable. With a shrug of my shoulders, I continued my impertinent stroll through the 76th District of Rukongai, ruing the day that I got on the bad side of the Fourth Seat.

Stepping lightly, my eyes and senses always active, I'd ensure that I wasn't the victim of an ambush from anyone. Not every one of the Pluses who found their lives within the harsh lands of the outer districts of Rukongai were friendly towards the Shinigami. Indeed, many lawless individuals who sought to take advantage of strife and fear made these districts their home, as well as the home of the bands that they were a part of.

Hopefully I wouldn't have to stay out here too long. Hopefully...

[Hikari]

Bored of her regimen and curious as to just what this ruckus was about, the shinigami found herself looking down on the streets of the unruly District 76. On the outer edges of Seireitei, areas like this were subject to quite alot of crime due to their long distance from Gotai 13. Even though patrolling the streets was out of her jurisdiction as a member of division two, she couldnt help but feel bad for the pluses who lived here, and occasionally made time to assure that the peace was upheld in the area. After all, it was in the outer ring of Seireitei where she had found herself before she was recruited to work as a Soul Reaper, so she knew how rough it could get.

Keeping a rather slow pace from the rooftops of the buildings, chestnut optics would settle upon a familiar black uniform. It appeared that another Shinigami was on patrol. Deciding that their time could be better spent patrolling another district, quick footwork launched her from the rooftops to just before the other soul reaper. "Hey. I've got this area. You probably can move on with your patrol to another district, or just go home if you'd like. "

[nein]

It would seem as if fate were on my side on this day! To my surprise, while meandering down the streets, keeping my focus upon the area, I would run into another Shinigami, garbed in the black robes that said that she was a warrior of the dead. Nodding towards her, I'd start when she spoke, basically informing me that she was covering this area and that I could move onwards. Shaking my head sadly, I'd simply state, "I'm afraid that I can't do that. I've been stationed here by my Fourth Seat, and he'd kill me if I were to be found someplace else."

The tone, while miserable, was strange; to match the physical appearance of my age, my voice was somewhat higher pitched than one might have considered of a boy. This had led to my downfall many times before, along with the black hair that fell down past my shoulders. Shrugging slightly, I'd bow before the other Shinigami and simply begin to continue my patrol, unless something would happen to prevent me from doing so.

[Hikari]

Now that her introduction was complete, a curious gaze scanned her companion's form more thoroughly. They were of small stock, stuck in the form of a child. Scraggly black hair fell to their shoulder, and an androgynous face stared back at her. Well this is certainly awkward... Hikari mused to herself, attempting to discern the gender of the other Shinigami. Half listening to the reply given by the child, she snapped back to reality as she realized that their voice might provide a clue as to the Soul Reaper's gender. Giving the excuse that they had been stationed by their superior officer, the timbre of their voice lead Hikari no closer to determining the reaper's sex.

Trying to take her mind off the subject, she decided to continue the conversation. "Fourth Seat huh? Ouch. That's pretty rough. What'd you do to piss someone that high up off?" She was trying to make small talk, but she was never really that good at it. Hopefully this encounter would go smoothly, and she wouldn't be tripped up in an awkward moment.

[nein]

Before my feet could begin their steps, the other Shinigami was continuing our conversation. This surprised me; as a member of the Fourth Division, most other Shinigami seemed to completely ignore me until they needed to me heal their wounds. To actually have someone attempt to make small talk with me was incredibly impressive. Biting my lip for a moment, I'd then release the pressure and offer a gentle smile. "I happened to heal someone that he said was far beyond my capabilities, and I believe it made him jealous." Coming to a sudden realization, the Shinigami would continue. "My name is Hisaki, by the way. Simple drone of the Fourth Division, at your service."

Taking the moment to bow, my hair would ruffle, slipping past my shoulders to fall around my neck as I did so. Keeping it a fairly professional bow that didn't show too much deference, I'd then simply return to my original posture, eying the female Shinigami who seemed to be just as curious about me as I was beginning to become of her. Moving my right hand up to my chin, I'd scratch it softly, as if I were lost in thought for a moment, and then ask, "So, what're you doing out here, anyways? It's a pretty rough place out here."

[Hikari]

Listening as the child explained how they had gotten in trouble, a light chuckle left her lips. Surely no such argument would occur in her division. Taking their introduction as a cue to begin her own, her name and position were made evident. "Hikari. Division 2." She said simply, bowing with equal depth as her companion. After the formalities had been exchanged, the young woman felt even stranger than before. She knew their name and division, but not their sex. A bit frustrated, she was distracted by the Reaper's question.

First picking her words before she answered, her explanation flowed rather smoothly. "When I first showed up in the Soul Society, I ended up in one of the outer rings, far away from Gotei 13. In fact, I'd probably still be there if I didnt steal a sandwich from the passing Shinigami on patrol." She said the last bit with a smile, remembering her desperation for food in the afterlife. "Besides, I can handle myself pretty well. Though I could tell you the same thing. Someone like you shouldn't be out here alone." She commented, looking down at her companion's diminutive stature.

[nein]

Chuckling a little bit, I'd say, "Well, looks can certainly be deceiving, as I'm sure that you are well aware of. I hadn't expected to ever actually meet someone of the Second Division; they have so much going on for them, as you know. It's kind've cool." Unsure of what else I could say, I'd kind've scratch the bottom of my chin with my right hand again, a careful, although confused, smile upon my face. It's easy to see how people could consider me a child, I thought to myself at this point, when I acted like this.

"So, have you ever gotten to do anything cool?" As I asked her this question, I moved closer towards her, taking a position on her left side, to show her deference, and should she begin walking while we spoke, I'd follow her. This seemed like a much more enjoyable way to pass the time than to just walk around by myself. I could only hope that it actually remained that way.

[Hikari]

Giving a little giggle as her companion fawned over her position, the duo continued to stroll through the streets of Rokongai. She hadn't thought of her position in the assassination division was all that "cool" before, but she supposed that someone in a more mundane division would find her work entertaining. After all, Hikari found the ability to heal another's injuries quite interesting. Perhaps it was human and spirit nature to want what you couldn't have.

Answering her companions question, she gave a rather mundane answer. "Well, I took out a Vizard the other day in the boarder forest. And theres a particularly strong Gillian wandering around the human realm. Other than that, things have been pretty boring." Looking down at the other shinigami, Hikari reciprocated the question. "How 'bout you? Being a Medic has got to be exciting."

[nein]

I snorted; I couldn't help it. "Really? You think healing people is exciting? All I do all day is drudge work. Cast a spell here, talk to this idiot who impaled himself with his sword and tell him not to do it again, list all the potential dangers. I never get any alone time, and every time that I do, it's spent in study, and quiet contemplation, honing skills that I'll probably never get to use." Letting out a wistful sigh, I'd then glance towards the woman and smile shyly. "And when I do get to use them, I'm sent into worthless missions like this because my 'superiors' are jealous. It is a hard life, indeed."

I continued at my steady pace, for what else was there for me to do? It was comforting, you know, just being alongside the woman for so long. It was strange, for there weren't any times that I'd been within the gated walls of Seireitei that I had managed to have contact with another for this long, and that included some patients that I very rarely got to treat. I had never thought about it, but the comfort of having another person so close to you made you feel really good about yourself. I had to hide my smile, but in the end, I definitely felt it.

[Hikari]

A bit disappointed that her companion despised their position so much, she had a new found appreciation for her own job. Sure, it was difficult at times, but all in all, she enjoyed her work in the second division. In a half heartened attempt to comfort her new found friend, she let slip a few words. "Well, at least they keep you busy?" She asked, a questioning inflection in her voice. "Afterall, you could have been placed in one of the bureaucratic divisions and have been stuck doing paperwork all day. We can at least be thankful for that."

Indeed, Hikari could imagine no greater horror than spending eternity chained to a desk and mountains of paperwork. Thankfully, her division allowed her to wander out and about, basically going wherever she pleased as long as a probable "threat" could appear. And medics must travel to the battlefield qute often to heal the injured. Surely the two shinigami wernt the worst off in the Soul Society. Not by a long shot.

[nein]

"I suppose that's true. Paperwork really does sound like the least appealing thing that could ever happen to me." Chuckling a little bit, I'd then look towards the woman who was accompanying me. After having listened to her speak earlier about an incredibly powerful Gillian, I found myself deadly curious about it. "So, you mentioned that one Gillian. What was it like? What powers did it have?" The craving in my voice would be easy to recognize, for it filtered in throughout my sentences as if the knowledge of this Gillian would somehow save me from damnation.

Still, as we walked, we began to come to an end of the circuit, and the sun within the sky was beginning to angle downwards, setting itself to prepare and rest its' eyes. I had to be careful not to spend too much time with this wonderful young woman, for if I were to be late in my reporting, then I would get something worse than rough-watching treatment... I'd probably be turned into a drudge, and spend the next week on my knees, cleaning floors and wiping down windows. It would be worth it, though, to get to hear Hikari's wonderful tales.

[Hikari]

With a sigh, she recalled her encounter with the Gillian class hollow. "Well, the fight started off with him as a run of the mill hollow." She said simply. "He was quite fast, and seemed powerful, though that may have just been due to his size. I was battling him along side a Quincey gunslinger who had fought with me before, but the coward ended up running away as soon as the hollow transformed into a Gillian."

Her blood began to boil at the thought of her abandonment. The next time she came across that Quincey, she would give him a piece of her mind...and perhaps a piece of her blade. "Since I was considerably outmatched, I had no choice to return back to the Soul Society and petition a stronger unit move out. However, I believe they were unsuccessful in slaying him." She explained this last part rather sheepishly for fear that she seemed like a coward for fleeing from the beast. "I'll get him next time though." She said with a smile, hoping not to worry her companion too much.

[nein]

Listening to her speak of this Hollow made me feel absolutely thrilled inside. The excitement; the danger; the fun! I could barely contain my anticipation at her every word, but when she finished I found myself filled with a bitter longing, to be capable of being out there and doing what she did. Withholding a sigh from escaping my lips, I'd smile towards as she attempted to allay whatever fears I might have been having... but I was not. The shivering from was the desire to be in her shoes, to be out there, within the world, doing as she did.

Chuckling, I'd then say, "Well... unfortunately, I do say that I've gotta be heading out. My duty was only for a day, and the position of the sun tells me that if I don't get back to my position soon, then I'll be in even deeper crap. I don't feel like doing drudgery for the next week or so of my life, so while it was nice meeting you, Hikari, I really have to be going." Bowing towards her once, I'd wait for whatever exit speech she may have, and then I'd take my leave, heading towards Seireitei once more.

=exit=

[Hikari]

Bowing to her new companion as they insisted that they must be going, she would say her farewells. "It was nice to meet you too, Hisaki. By all means, return to your regular position. Wouldn't want you to get into any more trouble with your superiors. If I get wounded in the field, I'll be sure to look you up!" I said with a smile, watching as they turned to make an exit. With a sigh, Hikari thought to herself. I still don't know if Hisaki is a boy or a girl...

--exit--