death-and-strawberry:

“Yeah, I thought the same thing.” he said, knowing what she was about to say. “But she isn’t. She just showed back up like nothing ever happened, and she’s looking for you again.”

“She said she wouldn’t do anything funny, but I’d still be careful.”

A flicker of hope rose within her, but she was careful to quell it before it caught aflame; following her heart in the past had never gone without consequence. “…No,” she replied, “there must be something else. I know; I’ll take care of it. I can’t— I won’t allow a repeat of last time.” 

“Thanks for the warning.” She nodded in acknowledgement before doing a double-take: “You mean you’ve already met with her…?! Where?”

(Source: rukiakuchiki-)

demonic-tempest:

Kazeshini’s stance immediately lightened, and he nodded. “Thanks. And… Nice to meet you.” He crossed his arms, watching the shinigami with slightly wary eyes. The way she seemed  to understand him automatically was more than a little eerie. ‘… Maybe  I’m just not used to the whole polite thing still.’

While she had meant every word, she had not expected the Zanpakuto to respond in kind. “It’s nice to meet you, too.” At that moment, she could feel Kazeshini’s bleach white eyes boring into her. Scrutinising. It was unnerving. As if to seek reassurance from her own zanpakuto, she kept her hand rested on the scabbard of her katana. 

In an attempt to ease the unbearable tension, she enquired, “How are both you and Hisagi-fukutaichou faring?”

(Source: rukiakuchiki-)

death-and-strawberry replied to your post: “Rukia, you got a minute? There’s someone here for you.”

“You remember a girl named Homura, don’t you?”

…Homura…?!

“Of course I do. I was the one who… named her. But she d—…” Her eyes searched his for an answer. “What’s going on, Ichigo?” 

demonic-tempest:

rukiakuchikdemonic-tempest started following you

“I recognise you…” Rukia said. The newcomer’s reiatsu felt cold and almost unwelcoming. It was relatively easy to distinguish, as she had encountered him briefly before in a fight during Muramusa’s takeover. That had not given the best of first impressions. She approached her next words warily. “You’re… Hisagi-fukutaichou’s zanpakuto, aren’t you?”

Kazeshini glared at the short woman. God, how he despised these shinigami, who seemed to be capable of calling him nothing but someone’s fucking possession.

“The name, shinigami, is Kazeshini. Address me as anything else, and that’ll be your last words. Got it?” 

Cold and unwelcoming, indeed.

She was taken aback by the Zanpakuto’s sharp response. There was such a bitterness in his voice. It reminded her of Sode no Shirayuki’s own hatred for her during the Zanpakuto Rebellion. Her Zanpakuto had felt so angry, so powerless, so used—so devoid of autonomy.

…Perhaps Kazeshini felt these things too…?

There was no use in fighting back. He was not her Zanpakuto—she could only try to understand. “I apologise, Kazeshini. I did not mean to cause offence. I wasn’t sure of your name, only of your wielder’s.” She offered a polite nod. “I am Kuchiki Rukia of the Thirteenth Squad.”

spiritofthegotei started following you

Instantaneously, her face warped to one of surprise. “…Yamamoto-soutaichou—-!” she greeted accordingly, offering a low bow. “Is there something I could do for you, soutaichou?”

sleeved-white-snow:

A rare smile softened Sode no Shirayuki’s otherwise frozen facade, her features easing into elation.

“—Rukia-sama.” 

Her tone was colored with relief. Not due to the fact that she thought her master might die while she was away (as she had the utmost confidence in Kuchiki Rukia’s prowess on the battlefield), but the zanpakuto couldn’t help the inkling of fear of abandonment that had crept into a corner of her icy heart. —Not that such trifling worry should be of any consequence at this moment; her master had returned.

“Sode no Shirayuki—-!”

A wave of great pride washed over her as her zanpakutō came into view. Caught in the sun’s delicate rays, she radiated with an ethereal glow. It seemed that the days had been faring well for Sode no Shirayuki—and though she expected no less, she was filled with much relief. 

“It has been far too long…”

Rukia had trusted in her zanpakutō to seek independence… away from her. She had hoped this would be a good experience for her zanpakutō, giving her the chance to live her own life; nevertheless, the long months had her grow increasingly tentative. Worried, even. She feared that she had driven Sode no Shirayuki away from her…

lieutenant-abarai:

At the mention of being kicked out he tried heartedly to reign in both shock and annoyance. “Fine, fine,” he began, straightening out a hint and bringing the thick little book back up to his face. Instantly, he began flipping through the pages. His eyes worked hungrily over the bold lettering, thoroughly inspecting the detailed imagery presented in monochrome styling. Well the dumbass writing this gets an A for art. What he found, though, was that once you overlooked the painful inaccuracies, the storyline hooked onto your attention and with a single tug had you lodged in deep.

“Well jus’ don’t tell ‘em I said that an’ we shouldn’t have a problem,” he answered, not bothering to glance up—down—from the book. It was her following words, though, which managed to rouse his attention and shift it from the book. His brows raised and the color of his eyes widened in another wave of shock. “Y-You’re joking!” His voice fell to a whisper and he uttered; “wouldn’t the soutaichou say somethin’? I mean if it was a cover story isn’t it fair that the other shinigami should know?”

His gaze lifted from her and fell back over the book in his hands. His interests were beyond picked now. If it was a cover story then he was more than anxious to read how they diverted the attention. That and the plot just had this knack for being addicting. As he continued to read a sudden thought snuck into his mind. His eyes trailed back over to his friend and he spoke,

“do ya’ know if the notebook exists?” As if to illustrate his point he nodded towards the manga. Genuine curiosity wrote his features.

Swiftly, she returned to her own endeavours. Little did she know, the growing volumes of manga tucked under the crook of her arm were attracting unwanted attention too. The shop owner, for one, seemed both curious and suspicious.

Oblivious, her focus had turned from hunting down The Jade Hermitage to questioning the distinct absence of rabbits. Each one of these manga novels and series lacked any cute animals—live or stuffed. It was hurtful. Instead, they were brimming with robberies and fights, severed limbs and blood, magic powers and demons. Not that she didn’t like them, but surely all mangaka were so unfavourable to small, furry animals…?

“Of course not! Why would I joke about such things, Renji?” she replied, shaking her head. “If the Soutaichou feels that such information is insignificant or unnecessary for us—as mere citizens—to know, then it is as he decides. Who knows what pandemonium would break out if everyone were to know? Everybody would want to contribute to the cover story. Think of all of the hassle. Perhaps it is best everything is kept on a need-to-know basis…!” she chattered, caught up in the excitement of her own tale.

Observing as each page was devoured by hungry eyes, a thought struck her. Suddenly, the image of Byakuya came into mind. What would he say about all of these rumours? Perhaps she should— No. What would he say about listening to rumours, full stop?

…

Oh, she had really been spending too much time around Kiyone and Sentaro. She ought to spend more time outside the office. She cleared her throat.

“I doubt even the Spirit King would have such an instrument, but it wouldn’t hurt to check the library archives. I’m sure Nanao-fukutaichou would be the perfect person to ask.”