Promise
marigoldsandpoetry:
On such an evening as this, with the moon high and bright and cold in the sky, there are few places Izuru wants to be more than curled up on the couch, a book in hand and a few sets of arms around him. Certainly not the far side of the Seireitei; he may not feel the bitter teeth as cuttingly as he used to, but neither his shihakusho nor his reiatsu is a true shield against the chill.Â
Perhaps he should take advantage of the scarf Matsumoto gave him a while back. Then again, that would require locating it amongst their various possessions.Â
A haphazard tangle of holiday lights catch his attention as he approaches his intended destination. In the early evening light, the incandescent bulbs burn dully against the skyâs array of color. Perhaps poetry would be in the cards for later â a haiku for the evening heâd begun moving even forward.
âActing Captain Kuchiki,â he tries, then almost shakes his head. Thereâs no doubt that Rukia is more capable of such a role than he ever was, but really? The title is nothing more than a reminder of where they stand, what theyâve lost. He tries again. âKuchiki-san.â
She looks exhausted. He wonders briefly whether thatâs an effect of the job or of the day â the end of the year has somewhat of an effect on people, so perhaps it wouldâve been better to wait to do this until after New Yearâs. But⌠he wants this done before then, so he can start the new year with something big!Â
âEveryoneâs fine. Hopefully Kyoko can see you soon; she has a cold, but sheâs pulling through.â The house had been subject to a barrage of snot and used tissues, but theyâre capable adults; they can handle a sick child. As theyâve adequately displayed. âListen, I was hoping we could⌠talk.â
Bizarrely, Lieutenant Kira Iuru is probably the person Rukia has known the first and longest, aside from Renji. Heâs also the person Rukia knows the most about while knowing the least, personally.Â
Rukia isnât sure what to do about that. Kira just seems very nervous and uncomfortable around her. And his nervousness makes Rukia nervous! She might try to needle Renji for information, but zheâs surprisingly tight-lipped about zher relationships. Not even Rukiaâs most vicious rib-jabbing reveals much that she didnât already know.Â
At any rate, the recent... events havenât done a great job at bringing them even closer. Maybe that can be her new year resolution.Â
âAww, poor dear. Of course sheâll be fine, though. Sheâs a tough kid, and has the three of you.â A thoughtful frown does cross over Rukias face, however. Her finger taps her lips. âIf thatâs the case, though, maybe itâs good for her to stay at home. Iâm sure sheâs much more comfortable there than in a big, empty old house.â
Byakuya would probably pale at that description of the mansion. Sorry, Nii-san, but short of feeding the koi fish thereâs not much for a sick kid to do around the estate, regardless of how starchy and sterile the guest rooms are.Â
And, of course, thereâs Kiraâs nerves again. Acting cagey and reluctant, like he thinks she doesnât want him to be here. Sheâll show him, this time!
âHm? Of course, Kira-kun. Anything you want.â
