#!pendulum verse

Hiyori realised that Hikifune used to do this with her. Even if her hair was not half as nice as Chiyo’s, Hikifune would always have time for the short lieutenant and sometimes, for  semi-formal occasions, she even put ribbons in Hiyori’s hair.

Your hair looks so cute like that, Hiyori-Chan!

It had made Hiyori happy to be looked at like that. As if she were important and worth something. That had been her entire world then. As long as Kirio was smiling her smile, everything else did not matter. The fair-haired lieutenant shook away the thoughts of that faraway laugh, Hikifune’s bright lipstick and tender eyes. Instead, she focused her attention back on Chiyo. Long, dark hair, like small streams coalescing all at her back.

“Seriously? I‌ always end up lookin’ like a nest no matter what I‌ wash it with,” Hiyori added with a frown.

But really, if she were to be honest, her hair started out as neat as a pin in the morning, but because of her rather fighty and aggressive nature, it was gone in ten minutes. She was rough when she fought. And she actually never carried a handsome comb in her robes like Shinji did. That vain princess.

“Nahh.. ya can do pigtails. Hikifune-Taichou taught me how ‘ta do it, I’ll show ya!” And Hiyori didn’t mind separating Chiyo’s dark hair down the middle, expertly pushing apart wavy, thick hair and then lifting one side up in her small hands.

There was a lot of hair, but Hiyori was quite used to dealing with those who had a lot of hair. It was like a status symbol in Seiretei, Hiyori had noted. From the very old like Genryusai and Ginrei Kuchiki, to the very young like Rose, they all had long hair. The only one who didn’t was Yoruichi - but that was more for practicality reasons.

Hiyori had managed to take the thick elastic bands that she used for her own hair to secure Chiyo’s hair, watching it tumble down either shoulder and actually smiled at her handiwork. Chiyo’s hair didn’t stick out every which way, they tumbled gracefully down each side.

“For fuck’s sake! What now?!” She barked, assuming it was Mayuri  – until she realised he wouldn’t be that polite and point out everything wrong she had done.

Instead, it was Akon. Her expression softened… by about 0.00001%. He was just a little kid, after all.

“E-eh?” Hiyori glanced over at the young shinigami and then placed her hands over her head.

Was there something wrong with it? Had something blown up in her face or had she not quite got the entrails of Mayuri’s new stomach out? Apparently he thought having to consume and digest food took too much time so he was trying to find a way to make the process of ‘nutrition’ more efficient. 

But, to have Chiyo comment about Hiyori’s hair?

Hikifune had done the pigtails and said Hiyori looked cute. Hiyori liked looking cute - - but she also liked Chiyo’s long and lovely princess-style hair.

“Uhh… sure. But it ain’t as long as yer hair.”

“Stop making stuff up!!” Hiyori snapped, ready to throw down in Kaien’s face. How dare he insinuate that she was in love with her Captain?!

“Really?!” excitement laces her tone, as small hands clasp together. “Your hair is so pretty, it’ll definitely be long enough!”

Pretty? Hiyori hadn’t really thought her hair was pretty. It had been valiantly tamed by Hikifune back in the day, but it wasn’t as shiny or as swooshy as someone’s. Actually... best hair award went to that walking exclamation mark, Shinji. Ughhhhh. 

Maybe Chiyo was just trying to soothe Hiyori’s terrible temper.

Hiyori was carrying a jar with a very bizarre arm suspended in a liquid. Something about testing reiatsu pressures on artificial bodies. She scowled as Kisuke walked alongside her, smiling that Saintly smile that he was prone to doing. 

He pissed her off so, so much!