TZC: Daring (28 Zanpakutou)
Hozukimaru loved baiting Fuji Kujaku. Sometimes it took next to nothing to get the other zanpakutou riled up and sometimes it was almost impossible-Fuji Kujaku could be one moody bastard, and that didn’t always work in Hozukimaru’s favor. Still, a zanpakutou had to have his hobbies.
The best time to do it was when he was bored, when Fuji Kujaku was either lazy or distracted and when he was visiting the other zanpakutou’s home. Fortunately, he had all those factors in his favor. Fuji Kujaku’s always unpredictable realm took the shape of a sunny meadow surrounded by a forest and the peacock himself was nearly asleep, stretched out on a convenient patch of clover.
Oi, Fuji Kujaku.
What do you want?
Fuji Kujaku didn’t move from his spot, and his colors were still calm and stable, but his voice held a snappish edge.
Nothin’ in partic’lar.
Then why haven’t you shut up yet?
Well that…took less time than usual. Apparently he was more irritated at being woken up than he let on. Not that this counted as a good reason to stop.
Ohhhhhh, I dunno.
Fabulous.
Fuji Kujaku pointedly turned his back and settled down again. Hozukimaru took that as an engraved invitation to keep going.
Oi, Fuji Kujaku.
You’re still talking. After I told you to shut up.
Mmm-hmm.
Fuji Kujaku abruptly turned and glared Hozukimaru out of the corner of his eye.
And just what do you expect to accomplish by doing this?
Hozukimaru laughed to himself. If Fuji Kujaku thought he was done playing, then it was time to bring out the big guns. He moved in a little closer.
Oi, Ruri-
The peacock’s tail snapped up, sending Hozukimaru tumbling in the process.
I do not want to hear that name from you.
Before Hozukimaru could say or do anything else, he found himself summarily ejected from Fuji Kujaku’s realm. He let his connection with Ikkaku draw him back to his own, laughing uproariously all the way. Mission accomplished.