#kxrotsuchi

Tessai folded his arms and surveyed the scene slowly, giving it a final appraisal. Though it was a quarter to ten the night of December 31, the artificial sky had been set to ‘sunset’ and would flow gradually through ‘twilight’ to ‘night’ over the next two hours. It was part of the ambience, as were the many multicolored lighting effects creating a festive glow. He had spent most of the prior week preparing for this joint celebration, an annual event ever since he’d had done with the prior disregard for Urahara-dono and Yoruichi-dono’s birthdays, falling, as they did, around the New Year holiday. They would not be forgotten, not on his watch. Thus, the tradition continued, and invitations had been sent out.

The setting sun was square-shaped. The rocky outcroppings and distant cliff walls of the Shōten underground area, guests would notice, had taken on an unusual blocky appearance, replete with lava flows and waterfalls. A holographic reference to Minecraft as this year’s decorating theme had been Jinta’s idea, and Tessai was all too amused to implement the scene as an homage to the honorees’ penchant for kitting out subterranean spaces. In a prominent area, cleverly blending in with the aesthetic, was a meter-high karaoke stage. A banquet table stood nearby, already laid out with a buffet of savories and sweets. Conveniently close but discreetly obscured by scenery, he had set up a field kitchen, putting to heavy use Yoruichi’s Christmas gifts of the Roccbox pizza oven and the American-style outdoor grill and smoker, and she, along with the rest of his guests, would soon taste the depth of his appreciation. A 7-kilogram hunk of Australian wagyu beef brisket had been occupying the latter, marinating in a smoldering haze from locally-sourced cherry wood for the past fifteen hours. 

“Oi! Mic check!” came Jinta’s amplified voice from the PA system. “Testing, testing – three, two one –” The following explosion of beatboxing drew a smile from Tessai. The young man had talent, and he’d earned a moment to enjoy the equipment he’d just set up.

“They’ll be here soon!” Ururu called down from a square-shaped hole in the sky at the top of the old ladder. For some time now, guests had no longer had to brave this awkward descent, but direct access from the dining room still had its conveniences.

“Is the freight elevator prepared?” 

“The projectors are on, if that’s what you mean.”  The illusion would begin the moment they stepped into what appeared to be an oversized mine cart to begin their virtual descent through the ‘shaft.’  “I’m ready to show them in.”

Tessai nodded, then gave one final scan, satisfied that all the various and sundry activities were prepared to his standards. He was, after all, an excellent host.

* * *

The party was in full swing, swirling with guests, music, lights and life. The keg had been tapped and Jinta was challenging Grimmjow (@deivorous​​) at beer pong, seeming to relish having found a worthy opponent. Since coming of age, he’d dedicated himself to mastering the sport. Ururu, meanwhile, was teaching hanetsuki to Udyati (@dvarapala​) and Nemuri (@kxrotsuchi​​) as Tōshirō (@ryusxnka​) and Mayuri (@kxrotsuchi​) looked on, both clearly appreciating the training far more than the gauche and garish soirée around them. Tessai was pleased to see that the two less-sociable captains had deigned to attend at all, and had both found some sort of acceptable entertainment. Off in an obscure corner, the Hōgyoku (@sphaeraa​) stood on the ceiling in scowling observation, and Tessai smiled at his sudden inversion of posture and attitude upon Shutara’s (@behindthestrings​​​) fashionably late and characteristically dramatic entrance.

Hiyori (@viciousvizard​) had found the brisket and appeared bent on challenging Yoruichi (@midnightactual) to some sort of eating contest. Alas, she must wait; the latter was holding forth on the karaoke stage while Yuuno (@ice-cold-shihoin​), Kouta (@the-lightning-underdog​), and Soi Fon (@waspandr​) cheered their encouragement. It must have been the spinning disco ball that inspired Shinji (@hirako5hinji​) to swing himself up and join her in an impromptu duet of Donna Summer’s This Time I Know It’s for Real. Kūkaku (@crashingheavens​), the apparent target of Yoruichi’s eye contact, returned it with an exuberant grin. Tessai was certain his guests were looking forward to her midnight fireworks display, as, of course, was he. Near the buffet table stood Adelha (@adelha-mathilde​), recently returned from Germany just in time to attend, chatting pleasantly with Isshin (@hisdaddy​) and Ryuuken (@xyuuken​) beneath a small cloud of tobacco smoke.

Tessai’s brow furrowed as he peered about. Where had Kisuke slipped off to? ...Aha – there he was. The gleaming white lab coat he’d donned (a recent gift from Ryuuken) made him easier to track. That had been his concession to heartfelt pleas to dress nicely.  Beneath it, he wore a button-down shirt and tie — and had left the hat behind. He was watching the stage from a quieter vantage point, engaged in conversation with their newest and perhaps most unexpected resident, Szayelapporo Granz (@behindthestrings​), as Birdy (@cosmacy) and Kara (@orphanedshadow​) curiously looked on. Heaven and Hell appeared to be well-represented.

Satisfied with his work, Tessai turned to replenish the buffet table, only to encounter Akane (@akanekishimoto​). “Ah! It is good to have you with us again, Akane-dono.” He gestured to the spread. “Have you sampled the Smörgåsbord?”

“This is good.” Tessai recognized at once both the presence and voice of Benihime (@crimsonprincessbenihime​​​), manifested and towering behind him, offering him her praise. He found his glasses fogging, and raised a hand to wipe a tear from the corner of his eye. 

@kxrotsuchi​

Chopper squeaked in surprise when picked up, now turning to look at the child with a small frown. "I already have a name. It's Chopper." He murmured with a huff, wanting to verbally disapprove of her grabbing him without permission, but not wanting to ruin a child's day.

He was fairly light, weighing about as much as a small puppy, though the flesh and body warmth from him likely gave a different feel from a stuffed animal. Gently placing his hooves onto the child's wrists, Chopper pushed down in hopes of getting back to ground level in case her amoral father had anything malicious on his mind. He was friends with other Shinigami but preferred to only be with the friendlier ones.

If only she was older , maybe then she would be able to catch up to her father . Her feet could only go so fast , and Nemuri was beginning to lose sight of him . That is why she began shouting for him - and this time she didn’t get scolded !

When Mayuri kneeled before her , she only looked up at him and giggled . ❛❛ Will you carry me on your shoulders like Mister Zaraki does with Yachiru ? ❜❜ Nemuri got all shy at the though , it wasn’t often that her father was so kind to her , she loved it when the Captain was in a good mood ! ❛❛ Can you still hold my hand ? Or am I asking for too much , Master Mayuri ? ❜❜ She looked him , holding back a smile as she gave him a wide - eyed look ( desperately trying to get her way ) . She would hate to be too demanding and ruin his mood , but she had to take advantage of the opportunity before her .

((Hope you don’t mind this lol

“K-kurotsuchi fukutaichou!!!” Renji stammers as he was presented the less than innocent picture, contrasted by the nothing but innocent face of his fellow lieutenant.

He didn’t even know what to say!! Stunned speechless he was, jaws slack and eyes wide open. Taking the picture quickly, he rolls it up and shoves it into his shihakusho. “W-well then.... thank you,” he clears his throat, willing away the furious blush on his face. “I ... uh, I’ll treasure it.”

Nemuri knew that look all too well. From the lowest members in the squad to Akon to her dad all of them looked at her like that from time to time. She knew why,she’s read all about her predecessor; her big sister. She has such large shoes to fill if she ever wants to live up to her. She smiles at Akon,glad he likes her gift.

“Uh huh! I’d love to big brother! But first…”

Nemuri trails off,debating for a second before hugging Akon tightly and tries her best to mimic the voice of her sister in the memories she has from her,

“I’m sorry I left…”

She hopes this’ll make him happy. She doesn’t like it when he gets that look in his eye. She doesn’t like it when anyone does… So maybe if she can pretend to be Nemu for even a little bit she can make it go away! Maybe she can make them really happy!

The hug took him a bit my surprise, and he gently let his hand rest on Nemuri’s head. Then her words, and that voice, hit him like a brick in the chest.

I’m sorry I left...

Akon froze, his jaw immediately clenched against emotions that threatened irrationality. Slowly he knelt, bringing his face eye-level with Nemuri. He forced a smile, his eyes sincere. 

“You didn’t leave. You’ve never left. And you don’t need to feel guilty for not being someone else,” he said softly. He hesitated, wondering if the next words that found themselves on his tongue would be beneficial, or even necessary.

“I miss Nemu. She was... different than you, in some ways. Very similar in others. And sometimes our minds act illogically and try to force together things that don’t belong. But you are special, and important, because you are you. Not because of who came before you, or who is missed. Does that make sense?”

He studiously ignored the lump trying to grow in his throat. He needed to look into that, determine whether or not it was a biological reaction that could be countered or removed. It was unpleasant and inconvenient.