#cassie-steps

Full disclosure, I started writing this months ago, and then something happened, like my computer died or something, and I lost everything I had for it. I was too pissed to restart it then, so here I am now! Lol Long overdue and without further ado~

Yoruichi Shihoin

Part I: Kisuke Urahara

–Kisuke would be much easier to appease than Soi Fon. Almost too easy. While he’s definitely protective of his best friend, he also knows that she’s a terrific judge of character, so you’re in the clear in that regard. He’s also irritatingly flippant, so if you’re the easily riled type, it might take you a bit longer to get along with him. He’ll pick on you, and he’ll drop less-than-subtle innuendos about your sex life, and he’ll just generally be an ass. Really, that’s just his way of testing you. In his mind, if you can’t handle him, then you sure as hell can’t handle Yoruichi, and quite frankly, don’t deserve her. 

–With Kisuke, it might actually be worth while to state plainly that you want to get along with him. Tell him you’ve heard great things about him, that Yoruichi regards him as her most important friend, and that you’re interested in learning why they’re such good friends. That being said, stating your intentions outright guarantees absolutely nothing. While he’s a very rational mind, he’s also the type to follow his whims into the lion’s den if it strikes him. He could either take pity on your earnestness or exploit it–it all depends on how he’s feeling that particular day. 

–All in all, though, he won’t hate you just to hate you, or dislike you just because you’re dating his best friend. First of all, Yoruichi would chastise him for it. Second, it’s not in his nature. He’s a live-and-let-live kinda guy, and he doesn’t really hate anyone. (There are exceptions to the latter, of course, but that’s a discussion for another time.)

–He WILL ask you about your sex life. Period. Kisuke’s curiosity is a plague on those around him, and his constant need for mental stimulation will lead him to teasing when it’s not otherwise occupied by his many experiments. And really, it depends on your personality what kind of response you’ll evoke from him. A shy, perhaps even timid, innocent personality will elicit a much kinder response. Likely something akin to the way he treats Ururu. A brash, confrontational, excitable personality will draw out his mischievous, needling side. He’ll treat you exactly how he treats Yoruichi, and she’d be pleased that the people she loves most are getting along. 

Part II: Soi Fon

–Oh, my, have you got your work cut out for you. It’s not news that Soi Fon worships the ground Lady Yoruichi walks on, to the point that she loathed Kisuke–and even still does, to a point–when they were first introduced. Continued to find him troublesome and cheeky when he acted so familiar with Lady Yoruichi, etc. It’s also not a far stretch to state that she has a crush (*cough* obsession *cough*) on Yoruichi, either. Whether you’d like to take this as romantic, platonic, or extreme respect and devotion, the fact remains that there will be hostility between you. If not initiated by you, certainly initiated by Soi Fon. 

–Yoruichi would do her best to curb Soi Fon’s outward dislike for the situation (a word which here means “you”), and Soi Fon would desire to like you because it would please Lady Yoruichi to have you two get along. Neither of these things would be very useful, however, because Soi Fon is steadfast in her decisions and actions. Really, your only choice is to continue to treat Yoruichi like she’s gold, love and cherish her, and while Soi Fon may never truly like you, she will come to terms with the relationship.

–Once that happens, which could take eons, you two will have a strange frenemy relationship, wherein you can ask for advice on how best celebrate Yoruichi’s birthday, what she’d like best as a gift, or what her favorite foods are, etc. Soi Fon, objectively, might not be the most helpful, often suggesting cat figurines/plushies/paraphernalia, but she would genuinely try to help you out. After all, it’s Lady Yoruichi we’re talking about! Anything done for her is in the realm of things Soi Fon is interested in. 

–Regarding sexual matters, Soi Fon is stuck in a state where she wants to know everything that happens, but absolutely does not at the same time. She is jealous that Yoruichi spends so much time with you, but accepts that you are someone precious to her. As frenemies, she’ll be on your side, defend you, protect you all for Lady Yoruichi, but also find your presence mildly irritating. She’ll know when you two have had an intimate night, and she’ll fidget all day long, battling with herself over whether or not she should ask you how it went and what happened, or if she’d rather remain ignorant.

Wrap-Up:

–Overall, Soi Fon and Kisuke will come to accept and acknowledge you. Kisuke will be much easier to become friends with than Soi Fon, as he’s generally laid back and accepting. Soi Fon would take goddamn forever to win over, and that’s really only because she loves Yoruichi to death. Under normal circumstances, while prickly, she’s not unreasonable, and you would have a much easier time getting to know her. Noting who you’re dating, however, she has placed a wall between you that might never fully disappear, but it will become more like a curtain than sekkiseki.

–Yoruichi will have minimal involvement in resolving the tension between the three of you. She would introduce, coo over you in that teasing manner she often performs, and intervene if things got hostile (mostly between you and Soi Fon), but would otherwise trust that you three could work it out. You’re all adults here, and she chooses those she favors carefully. When Kisuke starts getting closer to you–jokingly, of course–Yoruichi–equally joking–would wrap her arms around your waist possessively and declare, “Nice try, Kisuke, but she’s mine. I’m the only one who gets to see her cute face when she–”  “Okay, okay! That’s enough, please!”

You sure can, my dear! I chose Isane for this one, because the ladies don’t get enough love on my blog.

It had been close to a year now. After what was supposed to be a routine mission in the Rukongai turned much more sinister, you were injured protecting your beloved Isane. From two different squads, you were the Fourth Division’s extra escort, and though Isane didn’t need your protection, it made you feel just a little better to be at her side. You loved the way she looked directing her squad members; that stern, concentrated expression, and the way she always had one hand on her hip making her regal and beautiful. You’d been together for what felt like centuries, and you always thought that she just…got you. You got each other, honestly. 

You knew that when she was fatigued, the only person she’d let see her weak and tired was you. She’d shyly sidle up to you when no one was looking and rest her head on your shoulder. Just the same, when you were angry, frustrated, or exhausted, she was always there to cheer you on with some sage advice and that beautiful smile. 

On that mission a year ago, it was just days away from Christmas. You two had decided that you would spend the day as the humans did, and you personally had drilled Orihime on human holiday customs so it would be perfect. On the way to the Rukongai, you’d spoken animatedly to Isane about how excited you were, how hard you tried, and that you couldn’t wait to see the look on her face when she opened her gift. You assured her that it was just something small, but you wanted her to have it anyway. She had teased you, calling you silly, but you saw the small smile play at the corners of her mouth and the affection in her dark eyes. 

Upon reaching a clearing where Squad Four was supposed to aid some injured shinigami, something was…off. No one could put their finger on it, not even the skilled lieutenant captain herself. Everyone was on edge, and she worried about you even as she completed her duties. You could certainly take care of yourself in any normal situation, but this was completely abnormal. There should have at least been some residual reiatsu in the surrounding area, but there was nothing. Isane could feel nothing save for the shinigami in the clearing. Keeping her eyes peeled, she assisted the fallen with the rest of her squad, trusting you to have her back in an emergency. 

In the time it took to blink, the clearing was filled with commotion. First, it was a scream to Isane’s left. When she looked, the only thing remaining was a morbid painting in the dirt. She didn’t even have time to think about who it was before chaos ensued. Looking over her should, she didn’t need to hand out orders to you as you drew your zanpakuto to aid the others. Before she could voice that they needed to get the wounded back to the Seireitei immediately–

“Isane!”

Instinct guiding her actions, her blade was drawn and ready, but it was too late. Whatever Hollow had massacred their fellow shinigami was directly on top of her. In a blur of motion, you were there to take the blow of its ugly claws, sending a spray of blood and gore across the ground at Isane’s feet. You’d managed to deal it significant damage, but it was nowhere near defeated. You could no longer stand as the black faded in from the edges of your vision. Isane screamed your name, and the last thing you saw was a face of anger and hatred, and one single tear stain her porcelain skin.

The Hollow was defeated in record time, and Isane had to take a breath for that fact to settle in. She directed her strong gaze to the rest of her squad. “Get the injured back to the Seireitei immediately,” she repeated.

“Lieutenant, what about–?” They cast a glance at your unconscious form.

“I’ll take care of it. Now, move.”

There was more chaos once everyone reached the Seireitei. Three shinigami were pronounced dead on arrival, two were MIA, and one was presumed dead judging by the gory scene from the first scream. Doing her best to remain impartial, she instructed Hanataro to tend to you while she looked over some of the other patients in dire condition. However, Captain Unohana, ever astutely aware of everything, assigned Isane to your care with a gentle hand on her shoulder. She could have cried, she was so grateful, but there would be time for tears later. 

It took several hours, and she still required Hanataro’s help. It wasn’t pretty. Your mangled body broke her heart as she worked tirelessly for hours. Your feminine form looked more fragile than it ever had before. When there finally wasn’t anything left to do except wait for you to heal, she sent Hanataro away with her thanks. You were in the clear, your life was no longer in danger, so it was strange when you just…didn’t wake up. A few days passed, and she figured it was normal. These things happened, and Unohana wasn’t worried. Then it was a week, and then two. Then a month. Before she knew it, it had been an entire year. 

The preparations you’d both made for Christmas were never fulfilled, and your gift to her–sitting on your bedside table, wrapped immaculately to show your love–remained unopened. She couldn’t have cared less about the present. All she wanted was for you to open your eyes, and tell her everything was okay. The person she cried to when bad things happened remained unresponsive on a hospital bed. Isane checked your vitals every day. She caressed your cheek, smoothed your hair, and every night before she left she kissed your forehead, hoping that maybe that would rouse you enough to come back to her. She missed your warmth, your smile, your soothing words. 

Christmas Eve rolled around, and Isane was still by your side. She’d changed your bed sheets and clothes, and had gotten into the habit of telling you about her day. After all, coma patients could often hear and were aware of the outside world, they just couldn’t interact, couldn’t they? That thought alone broke her heart even more, but talking to you was the only respite she got.

“Hey, ___, it’s Christmas Eve,” she said gently. Smiling, she fluffed your pillow and fiddled with the flowers at your bedside. “Are you going to leave me alone again?”

She laughed derisively at her own joke, then took her permanent seat next to you. Propping her elbow up on the bed, she sighed. At least you looked peaceful, she reasoned with herself.

“Isane,” came her sister Kiyone’s voice. “I knew I’d find you here.”

Isane gave her a pained smile. “Here I am…”

The silence stretched on, deafening in the face of the falling snow outside.

“Are you going to stay here all night again?” Kiyone whispered, setting a concerned hand on her shoulder. “I know you’re worried, we all are, but you’ll make yourself miserable being all my yourself. ___ wouldn’t want that, and you know it.”

“But…what if she wakes up, Kiyone?” Isane mumbled, unable to help herself. “What if she finally opens her eyes, and I’m not there for her?”

It was silent for a moment again.

“I’m not going to force you. I know how close you both are, and I know how much you love her. Just… Don’t push yourself. You can’t help her if you aren’t taking care of yourself.”

With those parting words, Kiyone left quietly to talk to her captain, and Isane let out a sigh. Her sister was right: there was nothing she could do to make you wake up. If there was, she’d have done it a long time ago. She sat with you for another half hour, talking about everything and nothing, and left you as usual with a warm kiss to the forehead.

After a night out with her sister and some of the other members of the Shinigami Women’s Association, Isane was feeling just a hint better than the day before. A girl’s night had been just what she needed to reinvigorate herself, or so Rangiku had determined. They all supported her, and couldn’t wait for you to wake up and help them with their latest plot to sneak further pictures of the men around the Seireitei. 

Early that morning, you’d had a nightmare. Everything after that incident was a nightmare, honestly, but reliving the event was definitely awful. Choking on a scream, you’d awoken to a startled Hanataro checking your vitals, and the quick appearance of Captain Unohana herself. Breathing heavily, your hand clutched at the fabric of your clothes as you stared around the room in confusion. 

“W-What happened?” you got out after a minute of trying to remember how to move your mouth. Your voice was scratchy and rough from disuse, and your mouth felt like the deepest pits of Hueco Mundo. As Hanataro floundered for something to say, a look from his captain sobered him up, and he went in search of Isane.

“You were injured by a Hollow in the Rukongai,” Unohana stated calmly. “You saved Isane’s life, but sacrificed your own. Does any of this sound familiar?”

“…Vaguely,” you replied. You couldn’t remember the details, but the bigger picture was there. “How long was I unconscious?”

“It’s been over a year.”

“A year!?” you asked incredulously, hoping that she was joking. Unohana never joked. 

It was at that time Isane burst into the room, panting as her hair was in disarray. Well, more in disarray than usual. It hadn’t felt like very long to you, but to Isane it had been a lifetime.

“___!” she cried, running to your side. Unohana excused herself quietly, assured that you were okay to catch up with your lover for the time being. 

“I-Isane…” you said, feeling guilty. Wrapping your arms around her tall frame, you buried your nose in the crook of her neck. “I’m sorry I made you worry… And I’m sorry I ruined our Christmas plans.”

“Idiot! I don’t care about that!” Pulling away to hold your face in her hands, she glared at you lovingly as the tears spilled down her cheeks. You stretched out your hand to wipe her tears.

“You were crying then…” you whispered. “For me.”

“I thought I’d lost you,” she hissed back. “And I don’t care about the gifts or the celebration, I just care about you.”

You opened your mouth to respond, but it was quickly covered by Isane’s warm lips. You melted into her with a sigh, hands on hers hips pulling her closer by her shihakusho. She tasted like salt and booze, a taste that was strange to you, but it was still her. It made your heart beat quicker, and Isane slid her tongue along your bottom lip, unable to stop herself. Not much better, you obeyed eagerly, and basked in the attention of your girlfriend.

“I’m sorry,” you repeated once you’d parted, though you still clung to one another.

“Stupid~”

“So, I missed Christmas, huh?” Trying to lighten to mood, you grinned at her sheepishly. “Damn, and I was so excited about that gift.”

“Nothing can top what you’ve given me this year,” she replied, hugging you close to her. Confused, you made a noise.

“Christmas hasn’t passed yet?” you asked.

“Today is Christmas, ___,” Isane replied with a smile more radiant than the sun. As you gaped at her, she cradled your face in her hands again, and whispered “Merry Christmas…”

Admiral Seaweed vs bathtime (very popular with smoll Kuchikis)

Admiral Seaweed vs naps

Admiral Seaweed and that one nasty vegetable that the kids won’t eat

Admiral Seaweed Defeats Uncle Byakuya in Battle 

Admiral Seaweed goes to the pond and rides koi fish

that one time Admiral Seaweed got abducted by Lt. Kusajishi and almost died and definitely had to be reupholstered 

Chad is a totally a caring dad.

He’s not always the most talkative, but he’s always got a work when it’s needed. His kids know that he cares, and that he acknowledges their efforts.

He’s somewhat more physically demonstrative. He’s always got a hug when his kids need one, and he’s not shy about holding their little hands in public or giving them a shoulder-hug.

he always keeps an eye on the kids to see if they need something, like a bottle if they’re tiny or help when they’re older. 

if his kids have powers, he’ll help them train directly, or send them to people who can help if their powers are different than his

works hard to make sure his kids have the best of their various cultures and are proud and aware of all the cultural backgrounds they can lay claim to (his kids are going to be 1/4 Japanese, 1/4 Mexican, 1/2 ????)

So I’ve always thought of Admiral Seaweed as something of a Kuchiki family thing

the sort of thing that parents tell stories about to their kids

so we have tiny!Byakuya getting Admiral Seaweed stories from his dad

also little Byakuya has admiral seaweed pajamas

when Rukia joins the family, she gets the lowdown on the admiral

Squad 1:

A little anthropomorphized sake bottle

there’s a statue that people knock on for luck hidden behind the division gates

Nanao has a pile of stickers

Squad 2:

absolutely a black cat

it suns itself on the window of Soi Fon’s office

Squad 3:

Marigold, obvi. She’s the best.

Has a squad 3 collar.

Squad 4:

Basically a bunch of cute Studio Ghibli stuff for the patients. 

Squad 5:

It’s a little anime jazz record.

Shinji drew the first one to make Momo laugh and it sort of took off 

Squad 6

Admiral Seaweed, off course

mock it at your peril, Byakuya will end you

Squad 7:

Totally Sajin’s dog, Gōrō. 

The dog’s actually on the recruitment brochure for the squad, so this is probably canon?

Squad 8:

probably a version of the strelitzia flower, which is the division’s flower (and gorgeous)

Squad 9:

a cockatoo. Officially belongs to Mashiro, unofficially the division’s pet 

leans swear words from the troops, complains like Kensei

the cockatoo (whose name is Maisie) loves Shuhei and will perch on his shoulder

Squad 10:

A snowflake icon. Matsumoto’s idea. 

Toshiro thought that it was appropriate and just went with it

Squad 11:

realistically, the closest thing they have to a mascot is Yachiru?

is simultaneously adorable and terrifying 

Squad 12:

probably something science-y that Nemu made.

Like, a picture of a little turtle holding a beaker and a thistle (the division flower)

Squad 13:

A little ohagi (Japanese sweet made with red bean past and rice) that’s a great favorite of Captain Ukitake

i love you cassie thank you for this 

art: @titanessofthenorth  / @cassie-steps

greenland oc: me