062208 - Meeting
He felt a little cheapened. Byakuya had never liked gigai, and being a Captain, he never had much use of one. Indeed, Captains were rarely sent on patrols to Earth for a variety of reasons. But, as soon as he was informed that he was going to need one, he took great care that his gigai was constructed to only the best specifications. The Women's Association had advised him a certain gikon pill brand, and was assured it was the best. He took it without question, because it would have been troublesome otherwise and he did not have the time.
The meeting place was also something less than desired. Standing in the midst of Kurosaki Ichigo's room, Byakuya was not surprised by its... simpleness. His cool eyes scanned the posters, the desk, the bed, and the closet... and he could only softly snort. He stood out in this atmosphere, looking like he might have had a large and expensive apartment in the city. Tailored and brand-name blue jeans, a light blue, long-sleeved collared shirt, and an off-white blazer did stand out in this humble place. Not complete without his kenseikan, anyone who saw him must have thought he was a trendsetter.
He found the only chair, sat sound, leaned back slightly and stiffly crossed his arms. Hopefully the family downstairs, who believed him to be a tutor, would leave him in peace. Quietly he waited for the others, closing his eyes momentarily as he had a moment's peace to gather his thoughts...
Izuru had been somewhat nervous about his return to the living world, especially given the condition of his arm. It had been a relief not to meet with an arrancar attack thus far, though to be honest, he wasn't sure if it would have been all that much worse than what /had/ happened.
The Third Division Lieutenant currently occupied the corner by the foot of the bed, back leaning against the wall and arms crossed over his chest. Wishing to avoid contact with the family downstairs, he had come in through the window. He was avoiding eye contact with the rest of the group, hoping to avoid any commentary on his most recent "battle wounds." The several bruises had been easily taken care of thanks to Hanatarou, but there were some things the 4th couldn't handle. For instance?
Kira's hair was blue. Now, not quite as blue as it had been just after the paintballs had struck it. In fact, there were traces of blond beneath it all, but more or less, Kira's hair was pale blue. A blue that clashed a bit with the dark yellow sweater he wore.
Ever nervous in appearance but truly not meaning to look so, Hanatarou had ended up taking refuge near the corner by the closet. He was unsure as to what Ichigo would think when he found his room invaded, but then this couldn't possibly be the first time. Still...
Knees folded beneath him, the shinigami medic sat quietly, hands fumbling with the edge of the somewhat oversized hooded gray sweatshirt he wore, the sleeves rolled up so they wouldn't completely swallow his thin wrists. The silence was unsettling, and occasionally Hanatarou forced himself to glance around the room at the rest of his fellow shinigami as they waited. He'd shown up with the other two, but Byakuya's company alone was enough to stifle any sort of attempt for conversation. Not that such was one of Hantarou's strong points anyway...
This lieutenant was likely to stick out most of all. Not only his hair assisted with that in this environment, but his outfit. Bellbottom blue jeans were something of the 'norm', but the shirt, and headband were something eye piercing. T-shirt was tie dye with a 'clashing' purple-diamond designed headband. The attire was ridiculous, but it was thanks to 'someone's' fashion suggestions that Abarai Renji wore it.
Finding himself at home, he plopped on the end of Ichigo's bed while propping an arm across the window sill. It was obvious that he was avoiding eye-contact with his captain; not that he looked bad! But maybe it was Kira's hair that was more eye-catching. Chest bounced slightly, hinting to his suppressed laughter. It was killing him to hold back the comments/insults.
Coming in through the window seemed like a good choice. Fewer questions about why the guy with the tattoo'd face is at your door that way. Shuuhei leans back against the wall, arms crossed over his chest in his usual stance. Being back in the living world wasn't something he'd given much thought to one way or the other. But there hadn't been any attacks, and while he enjoyed the peace, he was also suspicous of it. There would definitely be no souvenir shopping while he was there.
There was a soft curse as Shuuhei tries to get used to the feeling of sleeves. Even the short ones of the basic black t-shirt were foreign to him. Even stranger was the state of his jeans. Why does one knee have a hole in it? But what annoys him most is Kira's blue hair, through no fault of Izuru's own. Shuuhei had promised Momo that he'd look out for him. And obviously...he failed.
Unlike her brother, Rukia marveled at being back in a gigai, thus she was testing its limits a bit stretching her muscles even going so far as to pop a knuckle while she had been walking here. Thankfully she'd stopped that nonsense when she popped through the window and there was everyone else and Byakuya, she did have a family name to maintain after all. She was clad in a simple yellow sundress as opposed to her brother's upper scale clothing. She was especially pleased that she'd gotten a chappy gikon pill and dispenser when The Women's Association had given Byakuya one.
The 13th squad member was perched on her old bed in the closet, she had thought about taking the bed as a seat but had determined that might end in her trying to gut Renji, though had taken her suggestions for clothes he'd gone a little extreme in his interpretation of what she'd meant She was currently fighting the urge to check and see if her manga was still in the closet with and read some before the meeting got started but was so far resisting it successfully, thankfully Kira's hair was doing a good job of distracting her as she stared a little out of the corner of her eyes at its impressive blueness.
Ichigo had been having a fairly good day. A few hours in the park, some time spent at the library. Much to his family's delight, he returns home in an uncharacteristically amiable mood, which lasts about as long as it takes for him to reach his bedroom. The door swings open, and there he stands before the assembled shinigami. Slowly, his eyes pan over the gigai.
In short order, Ichigo's brow furrows and he adopts that surly expression he wears so well. "Oh, great. There's six of you this time," grouses the teenager, his tone deadpan. "Thanks for inviting yourselves in. I probably don't wanna know how you all got in here without anybody noticing." In the back of his head, he certainly /hopes/ nobody noticed, and that's probably why he's not raising Hell right now. Better to keep his voice down and not draw his family up here.
Ichigo relents to their intrusion with surprising ease, probably realizing that there's not much he can do to evict these particular visitors. With an annoyed sigh, he slips the bookbag from his shoulder and drops it on the floor, nudging his door shut with his heel.
There were many things that Byakuya might have asked about. One, why Izuru had not taken care of his hair. Two, why Rukia had chosen to take a seat in the closet. These things, and the question of Renji's taste, Byakuya kept far from his mind -- for now. As soon as Ichigo entered the room, his eyes opened to look upon him. He could not help but feel a little annoyed at Ichigo's attitude, but unfortunately, there was no time to discuss such things.
Byakuya's body did not move, and so merely his voice commanded attention. It was quiet enough to not draw attention the family elsewhere in the house, but powerful all the same. "...I would like this meeting to be as brief as possible. We do have jobs that we could be doing, and just because we are here does not mean that everything else is on hold." He lowered his eyes and seemed to look inwardly.
"I assume everyone knows why we are here. Before I go on, is there anything that anyone has to report that everyone may not be aware of? If so, please do so now, and keep it concise. We will discuss the matters at hand in a moment." He then fell silent, and his vision made a sweep of the room across his subordinates.
Of course Kira had taken care of his hair! Or at least, he'd tried to. The paint just hadn't come out completely after the first few washings. He was working on it!
It didn't take much to notice Abarai-kun's chuckling and face-making. He'd expected it. Though it was a bit harder to pretend he didn't notice all the other discrete glances. Eyes shifted further away from the group and focused on the safety of the wall. The wall wasn't staring at him.
He assumed the entire paintball mess would be dealt with at some point, so rather than drawing attention to himself, Kira said nothing and simply waited to hear what the Captain had to say.
With the arrival of the remaining shinigami of their party, Hanatarou had offered a nod in acknowledgement- if they'd even noticed him. If not, well, it was nothing he wasn't already used to. His eyes for the most part remained on the floor. He had flinched upon Ichigo's arrival, although the orange-haired shinigami substitute's reaction had been considerably less belligerant than what he had initially expected. "H-hello, Ichigo-san... it's been a while..." he offered quietly from where he sat, forcing a smile.
He'd fallen silent immediately once Byakuya began to speak, ducking his head slightly, half expecting a reprimand. He sat in tense silence again, and it was an effort to try and bring his gaze up again from the floor, if only to take a quick glance around before making brief eye-contact with Byakuya. If everything was not clarified with anyone in the party, he knew he'd have to explain again, but for now he remained silently hoping he wouldn't have to.
Eyes were finally taken off Kira to look at the new arrival's and finally the host. Luckily for Ichigo, most of them made their entrance discretely and no one from his family were aware. Only when his captain began to speak did Renji shift his attention to the man. Was it really an issue to look somewhat 'normal' and drop the rich act here? For Kuchiki-taichou, it obviously was a killer if even hinted anything ... 'average'.
Finally that question came whether they had news. Renji couldn't let this opportunity go. A brief glance was spared in Kira's direction before the lieutenant cleared his throat. "Yeah, I got somethin'. I noticed y'all are eyein' Kira up. Forget his ocean hair, he got swamped with paintballs if y'all didn't know. Don't let it distract you from the reason we're all here. Continue taichou. " The tone was snubbed and put simple. Renji knew he would hear about it all later if he let them all keep casting their attention his way every time he was in their presence. It was something he would rather avoid if possible. He heard enough of the sobbing back in Seireitei.
Shuuhei puts everything else out of his mind for the moment and tries to concentrate on the meeting. His narrow eyes sweep the room, waiting to see if someone will speak and report on anything new. Shuuhei himself said nothing, though he did offer a slight nod of his head to Ichigo in greeting. Quickly afterwards though his attention returned to Byakuya. He wouldn't be the one to speak up and slow things down. He knew enough to follow along. And what he didn't know, Shuuhei could figure out along the way.
But he was listening just as closely when Renji did have something to add. But what that something was... "..." Shuuhei sighs and rakes his hand down the front of his face. He just -had- to draw attention to it, didn't he? Even if it was obvious that everyone had already noticed anyway. Kind of hard to miss.
Rukia had given Hanatarou a warm smile when he gaver her his nod, though she'd wanted to hurry up and sit down as she was the last to arrive so she didn't say anything right away to the 4th squad member. Leaning forward out of the closet so she can get a better look at the owner of the all too familiar voice, she grouses back at Ichigo, "What better place to conduct shinigami business besides a substitute shinigami's room? It might as well be property of Soul Society." Her mouth forming a mocking smile at him.
Once Byakuya starts speaking, she cuts off any further comments before she actually begins arguing with the orange headed block head. Normally she would, but not right now when Nii-sama is just right there, especially when he's all business like today. Once he asks about reports she waits for her turn listening to Renji's brief bit of 'news' before offering her own, such as it was, "Nothing new to report, Kuchiki-taichou. Are there new orders?" She asks slightly curious what the meeting was going to be about exactly.
Ichigo is rather at a loss right now. It's not every day that he has his house used as a meeting place. Rukia's mocking remark only deepens his frown. "Soul Society can kiss my ass," he flippantly replies, upturning his chin at the very suggestion that they own his bedroom. "You're only in here 'cause I know this is important." Having said that, the orange-haired substitute looks for a seat, only to find that most of them have been seized by his 'guests.'
His eyes shift back and forth before, at last, he chooses to cross the room. Ichigo props himself against the wall, next to where Renji has seated himself upon the bed. There, he stands in silence, watching Byakuya expectantly.
It was a strange thing that Ichigo and Renji were able to arouse irritation out of Byakuya equally. Byakuya stared at Renji for several moments, his facial expression not changing at all, but it was if his eyes had become daggers. They were soon aimed at Ichigo as he crossed the room, as Byakuya had silently noted his comment about Soul Society. He was one to never forget such things.
But, it was time to get to the matters at hand. His eyes pulled away from Ichigo and were once again staring at nothing in particular, but seemed focused inwardly. "... I will speak about the least important matter first." It had caused enough distraction with Izuru's hair, after all. "There was a strange disturbance in Karakura that had not been created by Aizen or Espada. It must have been of a supernatural source, for in our ranks there had been casualities..." He paused a moment, not naming any names. It was too obvious anyway. "However, given the lack of real injury, and the disturbance appearing to resemble a game, I will ask that all of you continue to be alert but remember what you are here for. I will not tolerate any of you becoming distracted from your work."
He paused then. The chance meeting with that stranger came to mind... but now was not the time to inform any of them. It was not what needed to be discussed now. There was no need to cause unrest for something that had not even been confirmed yet.
He then lifted his gaze to the center of the room. "There will be no more discussion on that subject. Inoue Orihime is the reason why we are gathered here."
Sure he understood Renji's intentions, but did he really have to bring up the hair? Had the situation not been so formal and had Kuchiki-taichou not been there with his disapproving gazes, Kira might have protested his friend's slightly thoughtful comments, but instead he stayed quiet. Hopefully now they could all forget about his hair and go on with the important business.
Apparently not without a mention from Kuchiki-taichou as well. Fully expecting every eye in the room to shift his way, Kira's cheeks turned a rather bright shade of pink and he somehow managed to lower his gaze even farther. He was thankful, though, that they were finally getting to the business at hand.
A simple nod was offered in greeting to Ichigo when he relocated himself beside Renji. He really didn't need to speak and start an inevitable argument. When the captain began speaking, focus redirected in his vicinity. Hopefully this all wouldn't turn out to be a pointless and dull scout mission. Renji was more eager to make himself far more useful and search for his friend at the source.
Perhaps he was too dull to realize the obvious defeat. Renji was far from strong enough but scouting and hanging around town wasn't going to get him stronger! The boiling anxiety was shoved deep down in his belly; silencing any of his uproaring comments growing. He could become rebellious here in front of Kuchiki-taichou. Furrowing brows hinted his feelings for the situation though.
Hanatarou shifted in his seat, not so much because it was uncomfortable because he'd become well accustomed to sitting in such a position, but that he was still somewhat questioning the whole paintball situation that they'd accidentally found themselves in the midst of. He'd even had the chance to talk to one of those involved in the crazy game. Well, he supposed he should offer some explanation. "I-if I might add, Kuchiki-taichou, I came across one of the ones involved in that.... th-the game, that is. Which is what it was, as I was informed. It might be over by now- h-he said it was supposed to last for a couple of days or so..."
And here he fell silent again, finding the floor very interesting. He felt he'd said more than necessary, but if it would remove some of the concern and unnecessary attention from poor Izuru, then that was fine.
Now came the more dire subject matter- Orihime's kidnapping. He nodded quietly, perhaps even expectantly.
Shuuhei gave a subtle nod to Byakuya's orders. It could've been worse than an apparent game, but that probably didn't make Izuru feel any better. Not while his hair was...that color. A glance in the other vice-captain's direction confirmed that fact. But like was stated, no major harm. And it wasn't the only thing they had to worry about either.
Shuuhei is a little suprised when Hanatarou spoke up. But he thought that the information he had to add was relevant. And for him, that took guts. His arms remained crossed over his chest, content to let the topics go from one to the next, lesser serious to the more concerning.
For her part Rukia looks slightly uncomfortable as she inadvertatly gets Ichigo glared at by her brother and Renji does it all on his own. She presses her lips together for a moment in thought before she schools her features into a neutral expression, having Nii-sama here was putting her more on edge than she thought. She listens quietly as the report on the paintball shootings was given, being sure to add this to her mental notes of things to be on the look out for. Though this isn't surprising news to her, Karakura was full of a lot of rather strange people with odd abilities after all look at Chad and Orihime....
It's with that thought and Byakuya's change to the subject of her capture that Orihime, "What exactly is our response to this going to be Kuchiki-taichou?" Though couched in the coolest tone she can muster those that know here well can see the little signs that she's very anxious about the answer to this question, the set of her lips, the slight figeting of her hands, and the tenseness of her body. To those that don't know her that well she looks to be sitting there fairly sedately.
Ichigo appears amiable enough toward Renji, at least for the moment. If he'd wanted to spark an argument with the red-haired fellow, it's just like as likely that he could've found a way. His arms rise, crossing together to rest against his chest. The matter of the paintball incident seems to cause him little alarm, and it shows in his disinterested expression. However, that changes as soon as Byakuya takes up the primary subject of the meeting.
As if to reflect his intensity of purpose when it comes to the kidnapping, sits next to Renji and leans forward, placing himself closer to the heart of the gathering. "Yeah, I know. Soul Society was blind to that bastard and missed its chance," says Ichigo of Aizen, perhaps ignorant of how stinging that remark might be when referring to such a fresh wound. "Now Orihime's paying the price."
A quick is shot toward Rukia, "What's our response? You're kidding, right? We go and get her back!" Ichigo allows that proposal to linger among the shinigami. As he does so, his eyes shift very deliberately between Renji and Rukia. It's as though he's expecting more of them than he does of the others present.
His team seemed to be ready to hear what Byakuya had to say, but of course, Ichigo had his own idea and was trying to take the situation into his own hands. This might have been his home, but this was not his meeting to lead. Ichigo would have found that Byakuya's response to his sudden outburst was just as quick, and that his tone of voice rose a little.
"Ichigo. Whatever you might do is none of our business, as long as the safety and security of Soul Society and its interests are not disturbed. I will not have you making such commands of Shinigami in my presence, especially those that are under my watch." He would have liked it if the others did not any offer any comment to what he had just said. They were quickly headed off track.
For the first time since the meeting had begun, Kira's eyes rose. Worries of his hair seemingly forgotten, a sharp and disapproving frown was directed at Ichigo. Just who did he think he was to make such comments? He was lucky to be involved in this meeting at all!
Though he knew most of the others present were level headed enough not to allow Ichigo's passion to effect their better judgement, he didn't want anyone losing their perspective. His gaze shifted away from Ichigo and momentarily to his own sword arm where the small traces of a much larger scar were visible at his wrist.
When he spoke, the words were soft, making it not completely clear if he spoke to the group or simply to himself. However, if they were to look his way, they would find his eyes once again locked upon the young human. "She's not the only one paying." In other words, it was irresponsible to consider that girl's immediate safety to be more important than anyone else's.
"-!" Hanatarou swallowed, his shoulders hunching as he suddenly wished he was invisible. He had a feeling things would turn out this way, but he knew how close Ichigo was to his friends. After all, they'd gone through such lengths to rescue Rukia, so why should their actions to do the same for Orihime be any less? Other...than the fact that she was in enemy territory.... He was very sorry he had to be the bearer of such news, but with Uryuu being the only one that had witnessed it and then passing the responsibility of playing messenger before he'd disappeared to do...whatever it was he had to, there had been little other option.
So he said nothing. He had nothing to add, or rather did not think he should say anything lest he draw Byakuya's ire. Hanatarou pointedly avoided the captain's gaze, but at Izuru's quiet remark, the shinigami medic couldn't help but look towards him instead.
Eyes met Ichigo's, certain that he was thinking for his friend. If Ichigo would run into battle, so will Renji. He couldn't leave him without an extra hand. But sights immediately lowered when Kuchiki-taichou shunned the idea. That wasn't surprising, Kuchiki-taichou was thinking of the safety of the Soul Society as a whole.
What came as a surprise was the muffled commentary sifting from Kira's direction. Finally he rose that obvious voice. "He's right, taichou. We can't just sit back and wait for the enemy to set a trap around us while we sit here oblivious to any of that traitor's ideas." They were like sitting ducks if Aizen was planning something big. Maybe he took Orihime to draw them out here for whatever reason.
Shuuhei frowns a little at Ichigo's outburst, but not entirely in disapproval. He understands loyalty, doesn't like the idea of just doing nothing. But he also follows orders. He's a bit torn as he listens to both sides. He takes a deep breath and lifts his head again. There may be more to be said. He'll wait and save his judgement for then.
Rukia already anxious as Ichigo throws his two cents in, causes her to bluster back as she stands up from her seat in the closet and points dramatically at the substitute, "Of course we are Ichigo! What are you an idiot?! I just meant what the exact plan would be to get her back!" Looking ready to jump across the room and thump him one right now for suggesting otherwise, "This is our job as Shinigami after all, putting down hollows that start messing with the l...ivi...ng..." Then her brother speaks.
Byakuya's statement easily interrupts her little rant and she considers exactly what he's saying quietly for a moment, standing up straight as she asks her brother, "But we are doing something right....?" Eyes falling on Izuru as he speaks in turn as her tone sounds as though she's made her decision already, "No she's not, but she came to help me...I can do no less for her." Rukia's memories all too recent about exactly what fate Aizen had engineered for her and what she'd nearly allowed to happen to herself, if not for her friends here in Karakura. Once Renji joins in though Rukia gives him a large genuine smile.
Ichigo had obviously expected such a blatant response from Rukia, but having Renji's open support catches him a bit by surprise. He looks over at the red-headed shinigami for a moment, consideringly. Ultimately, his attention pulls away, fixing upon Byakuya.
"I'm going to get her back. Maybe that's not your business," says the Kurosaki, meeting Byakuya's gaze. "It should be, though, and it'd make things a lot easier if Soul Society would help." Lifting his arms to his chest again, Ichigo leans back, eyes closing as he adopts an irritated expression. "You're arrogant, Byakuya, but you're not stupid. You know that Aizen wouldn't take her unless he'd gain from it, and that /makes/ it Soul Society's problem."
Less concerned about what Renji said, as he was unsurprisingly with Ichigo on the matter, Byakuya casted perhaps a softer glance on Rukia. It had not been long since the events in Soul Society, and surely no one had forgotten them. Byakuya had been the enemy of Ichigo, Renji, Hanatarou, and Rukia during that time, even if it had been against his will. If it had not been for Ichigo, Rukia would have been executed, and his own hands would have been stained further. Though he struggled with his pride on the issue, he owed the boy.
But sacrifices were not his to make. Byakuya had other responsibilities, responsibilites that had been made his when he became Captain of the Sixth Division. Lives were in his hands. As Ichigo chastized him, Byakuya took his eyes off Rukia and hardened his stare. "...Or perhaps he took her knowing that you would follow, leading you into a trap. You are a threat to him. What good are you to her or anyone if you are dead?" As for the rest of the Shinigami that sat in the room, he had only one thing to say.
"... As for the rest of you... I give you /no order/ to go after Inoue Orihime." He then fell silent. He wondered quietly how they would react, as he knew very well how most of them felt about him. It was really none of his concern, but if they would listen /correctly/ to what he had said...
Izuru was used to this type of rash behavior from Renji, though in all the years he'd known the idiot, he'd never been sure of how to combat it. Sometimes there was no talking sense into such a thick head... and thick heads only got thicker when there were more of them together.
Izuru's expression was clearly pained as he listened to the others weigh in on the situation. Even Kuchiki-taichou, though he at least had the sense to see the dangers of the situation, did not seem inclined to stop them from walking right into death. But even he didn't know what they were getting into, did he? He hadn't faced one of them...
"Abarai-kun, you can't be thinking of going after her." He turned his appeal to the only one who would listen. "You've seen what they can do. What that monster did to Hitsugaya-taichou. It... It didn't even draw its sword!" Eyes shifted back to his own scar. "What good will any of you be if you go get yourselves slaughtered?"
His hands were clenched around the extra material of his sweatjacket so tightly that his knuckles were white. All the while Hanatarou kept his gaze averted from the rest, and at one point he closed his eyes altogether as if to shut out the intensity of the clashing views. No amount of willing could blot out the sharp tones Ichigo took in his stance, and Hanatarou could not say he was surprised to hear Renji and Rukia taking their side with the shinigami substitute. To ignore the situation was not a completely advisable decision for Soul Society, no matter how potential a trap it was. Orihime had done much for them, and anything concerning Aizen at this point proved to be bad news.
The silence that settled briefly before Byakuya resumed speaking was almost as frightening as the arguing voices just moments before, and when the 6th Division's captain spoke, it cut through with a serene edge that rivaled even the most angry of tones in a dangerously quiet way. Although Hanatarou himself had not voiced where he would have stood in the situation of whether to act in rescuing Orihime or not, he still felt guilty for the words spoken towards Ichigo. He felt more than saw (since his eyes were still closed) as Byakuya shifted his attention to the rest of them, fully expecting their turn for being warned. Instead, the words that he spoke drew confusion. The medic lifted his head then, blinking. ...no order? ...but wait, would that mean..?
Apparent confidence left Renji's posture as eyes looked to his lap. The captain /always/ thought of them as a whole. But he was right. What good would it do the rest of them if Ichigo went running straight to his demise? The direct orders were considered before Kira spoke up.
The tiniest hint of a smile started to show toward his friend's concern. "Stop worryin'. We'll just have to get stronger then, right Ichigo?" A brief glance was cast his way with a confident grin. "But before that, we have to complete the task at hand. Orihime ain't goin' anywhere anytime soon, especially if Aizen /is/ trying to draw us to his battlefield. So we gotta take one step at a time."
Redirected sights toward his captain and a small nod assured him that he could continue. They weren't going anywhere either, not without direct orders. Renji would just have to make sure Ichigo didn't do anything stupid... well, at least not do anything stupid by himself.
No order. Shuuhei smirked at that choice of words. He expected nothing less really. "Don't think it'll do us much good if we just sit back and do nothing either." He murmured, speaking up for the first time, though he was mostly just musing to himself. Shuuhei took a deep breath and lifted his head before looking forward at the others. "I like the sound of that getting stronger." He was in agreement with the rest of what Renji said too. Yeah, they had to get Orihime back. Who else would take him souvenir shopping?
Rukia noticed the soft look from her brother and gave him a small almost imperceptable quirk in her lips, which put a tiny smile on her face. She understands him a little better than most and realizes that in this case he's bound by his job as a captain. She looks to Ichigo and Renji briefly before Byakuya gives their orders...or their lack there of. She almost does a double take at her brother having not expected that from him, well maybe she doesn't always get him....
"I believe everyone can abide by that Kuchiki-taichou." She bows formally to her elder brother another small smile offered while doing so. When she straightens up she regards Renji, Ichigo, and Shuuhei, "That isn't a bad idea at all, we need to be in top form after all and then maybe some." She looks to Izuru briefly, "They aren't to be underestimated.." She pauses and is very aware of Byakuya's presence in the room, "Should they happen to attack while we're patrolling that is."
Ichigo's eyelids draw apart, opening just widely enough for him to look at Byakuya. Perhaps surprisingly, he doesn't have any smartassed retorts to offer the elder shinigami. He seems to understand the intent behind the peculiar open-endedness of those orders, and it appeases him enough to reduce some of the present ire between them. Growing support among the others present only further subdues his temper.
"Right," says Ichigo, nodding in firm agreement with Renji. "If Aizen and his people are strong, we'll just have to get stronger. That's all it takes. I don't see Soul Society running away from this, and I'm sure as Hell not going to."
Tipping his head to the left, Ichigo idly scratches at the right side of his jaw. "No time to waste, though. We'll have to train, and hard, before he has a chance to do whatever he's trying." Pausing, he looks at Byakuya and inquires, "You'd agree with that, at least, right?"
Byakuya only gave Ichigo a brief glance. It was the only reaction to his question, and Ichigo would have to just accept that. "Everyone still has their orders from Soul Society to patrol this area. Until those orders have been fulfilled, I expect everyone to stay focused and always be prepared for the worst case scenario. I will not tolerate reckless behavior while you are under my command for the time being, is that understood?" They still had their orders to remain in patrols for several more days yet. He would have to indeed reprimand them if they were to act prematurely.
"...Always believe that an attack from Aizen is imminent. Prepare yourselves as you think is necessary. Just remember I have no time for anyone who thought their own lives were not at risk when choosing to take part of this patrol." Byakuya did not name names, and wanted everyone to take this to heart.
He stood from from his seat, his eyes sliding closed. Hands gently balling into loose fists, he angled his head a little let his tone of voice relax. "If no one has anything else to say, I think this has carried on long enough. If there any more questions, ask them now."
Realizing that his voice had gone largely unheard, as usual, Izuru lost what little fight he'd found. Why was it that others assumed he had no desire to fight or get stronger simply because he didn't find any value in running headlong into the enemy's lair? Finding little point in fighting them on that point, Izuru fell silent. Eyes shifted away and he withdrew. If they all wanted to think he was a coward, they would just be doubly surprised when he proved them all wrong.
Hanatarou had nothing to say, and although ht had a feeling he knew what would be going on, he wasn't sure if he should be happy at the odd allowance given or just as worried as before. There were no easy answers to things, and so just as Izuru had fallen silent, the 4th Division's representitive remained in his own silence. He did nod at Byakuya's words, wanting to express his understanding. They had their duty here as well, he couldn't forget that, nor could he do anything rash when he was the only medical support they all had.
There was something else they had wanted to talk about as well, though, wasn't there? The captain had only mentioned that it hadn't had anything to do with the previous problems, so what could it be?
There was nothing more to say. They needed to finish this mission's objective before starting a new one. Certainly Renji's next goal was to get stronger. He had to make himself a worthy opponent against the traitors and their 'pets'.
With the mention of risked lives, eyes couldn't help but wander amongst the room. First to Rukia, then to Kira and finally to the rest of them. Luckily for them, they had a strongly willed team this round. Not allowing his captain to leave without confirmation, Renji nodded and offered his own reply of understanding. "Understood, taichou. I've got nothin' else to say." Well... on the subject with what's allowed. Renji almost /always/ had something to say. He couldn't deny that.
Nodding her head Rukia gives Ichigo a raised eyebrow as he actually asks Byakuya something without being irritated about it. Making a quick mental note that Nii-sama wanted the patrols to continue for as long as their orders had said and wouldn't accept anything less, "Understood Kuchiki-taichou, I don't think anyone plans on abandoning their post." She doesn't have any other questions, at least none that can be spoken of as an unseated officer to a captain, but maybe later if she could catch him alone.....
Rukia takes a step back and sits back down in the closet as she considers what happened during the meeting, looking to the quieter two in the room Hanatarou and Izuru, she knew Izuru didn't approve of anyone racing to Huecho Mundo to face off against Aizen, and with good reason he'd seen a captain get thrashed by one of these things and Hanatarou was well Hanatarou, she smiles at that thought, she'd have to talk to them both later too.
Ichigo has no further questions when invited. So many opportunities to argue, to attack, yet he doesn't seize them. Perhaps this merciful silence is his own way of thanking Byakuya for he what did tonight. Gratitude unspoken, a common thread between the two of them.
"You can stay in my room while you need to be in town," says the orange-haired teenager to the Shinigami, though he obviously dreads the loss of his private sanctum. "You're gonna have to come up with some reason to be here, though. My sister knows something's going on. She's seen me outside of my body, and she's been asking questions." Scratching at the back of his head, he adds, "Besides, if you guys keep climbing into my window, somebody's gonna call the cops."
Izuru watched Byakuya's back as he left the room, but he still said nothing. It was only after the door closed that he even moved, and then it was only to slip a hand into his pocket. "I've got a patrol to return to," he muttered, not particularly interested if anyone heard him or not.
He offered no more words to the others, but simply popped the soul candy into his mouth, leaving his gigai behind with only a simple, brief order. "Just go home." A moment later he was already pulling the window open and leaving the way he had come without so much as a goodbye.
It seemed that that was all then. Perhaps with all that had come up, Byakuya had forgotten about whatever else he had meant to mention. Hanatarou hoped that he would remember to bring it up with the captain- if he could gather up the nerve- and ask him later on. He watched as the captain and then the vice captains of Division 3 and 9 filtered out one after the other before he finally looked to the remaining shinigami.
Hanatarou let out a long held back sigh. "Thank you, Ichigo-san," he said, smiling faintly at the offer of his room. It was certainly nice of him, especially when they'd barged in uninvited already, and the medic felt it only right to express some form of gratitude, if no one else did. "Ano... so... what will you do now..?" His question was directed to them all- the ones that had not hidden their intentions of helping their friend.
It felt as if a huge weight had been lifted the moment Kuchiki-taichou left the room. It was pretty surprising to see the others move out so quickly. Arms stretched over his head while releasing a relaxed sigh. Hands relaxed tucked behind his head.
Renji finally would regard the fourth divisioner's question. "Meh, who knows. Guess we're stuck here until we're done this lame ass scoutin' party." Eventually Renji would pull himself up on his feet. "Anyways, I gotta head out too. Before Taichou is on my back 'bout slackin' off or somethin'. Later." The vice-captain offered the words in exit, accompanied by a wave in the remaining shinigami's... and Ichigo's direction on his way to the window. Got to keep the family out of his business.
Watching her brother leave followed shortly thereafter by Kira and Shuuhei, Rukia gives them each a bow before they go. Now that the meeting was over she gave into her earlier desire to see if her manga was still where she left it. Sadly as she looked most of it appeared to be gone opening her mouth to call Ichigo a jerk she touches upon the cover of one of her comics. Picking it up she notes it's one of her favorite romantic comedies.
When Hanatarou asks his question though Rukia's at a loss at firs, "....I'm not sure Hanatarou, I suppose I should just work on the basics and train as much as I can between patrols." She considers some more and looks to Ichigo and Renji briefly before the redhead buggers out and the orange head having been called to dinner by Izuru, " There's not anything more I can think to do....maybe practice with my shikai more?" She muses out loud.
Hanatarou nodded slowly. "Hm." He looked down again, thinking about something. Finally, he moved to stand, smoothing out his clothes out of habit. "If you need anything, Rukia-san, please let me know. I...I know I'm not very strong, but I do want to help..." he said, looking down at his feet. He didn't want to be a dead weight to be dragged around by the rest of them.
Rukia gives Hanatarou a large smile, "I really appreciate it and will take any help I can get....and you're stronger than you think." She gets up out of the closet and closes the distance between them squatting down next to him, careful not to give anyone a show while doing so in a sundress, "And you've helped in a lot of ways, most of all by being a good friend." She bumps her elbow against his side playfully.
Amazingly, the medic didn't go toppling over at the action, although he seemed rather close to doing so. He blushed faintly at Rukia's words, meeting her gaze for only a few seconds before looking back at the floor. "...thank you, Rukia-san. That means a lot. I...I still would like to be stronger though, so that I won't be a burden."
Chuckling lightly at his almost toppling over from her little bump she shakes her head lightly, "You're welcome Hanatarou." She pauses as he continues on about being a burden before she shakes her head, "Go at your own pace, you seemed to do just fine when you and Ganju were breaking me out a certain prison cell." She smiles widely at him reminding him of that little triumph.
Hanatarou looked back at her, and he offered her a weak smile. "I...I guess it's a matter of motivation, then...." He nodded. "That's probably for the best though. If I get in over my head, I'll just be more trouble for you all." So best to stay where he knew his limits, do what he knew he could handle. For now.
Rukia meets Hanatarou's eyes as she offers a weak smile and she replies with a more confident one of her own, "You might be right, just don't be afraid to push your limits though." She gives the medic a serious look before leaning over and giving him a quick hug, "I know you are stronger than you think you are even if you don't see it." With that she stands up, "I think I need to clean up my closet and make sure it's ready to be a bed again...that idiot Ichigo moved all my stuff around." She grouses with a small quirk to her lips showing she's more saying it to say it than actually mean any of it, thus she heads back to the closet to mess around with it.
"-ah.." The hug was indeed quick, for by the time he realized what happened, it was too late to really react as Rukia was already standing. He didn't even have time to blush! "I'll... I'll do my best, Rukia-san!" Hanatarou said, nodding. He moved to get to his feet, and then bowed politely. "I guess I'll go then, I don't want to be in your way here, and I'm sure Ichigo-san would appreciate having his room back to himself." He smiled. "I'll see you around, Rukia-sanm" he said, and with that, he turned to exit...through the door like a normal person should.