RYUUGAMINE

" Ryuuga..."

" Ryuugamine..."

" Ryugamine Uzu-san!"

Startled, I abruptly raise my head and frantically look around. My eyes fall on the woman standing near me.

" Good grief, " She says crossing her arms over her chest-- no under her chest since she eventually decided her bossom was in the way, " I was about to give you a good shake. "

"I'd rather you don't, Rokujo." I mutter to her.

She chuckles and focuses back her current task. Our task.

I do the same: I tighten and adjust my grip on my broom's wooden handle. Not too tight. For some reason I'm scared that it could break if I applied too much strength. Rokujo and I were sweeping fallen petals and flowers off the ground.

We were assigned to the 5th Division today and lo and behold! We were often mistaken for being from the 4th. It's a common occurrence...so much so that any members of our squad would learn to simply shrug it off.

I swept and swept, gathering the poor fallen petals in one spot before almost overflowing my dustpan and making my way to the trashbin.

The wind did not make our task easier. Rokujo cursed everytime her crimson lock obstructed her line of sight. She had forgotten her hairband at our barracks and I had none on me.

Once again a breeze rippled through leaves and grass; undid most of our hardwork. I'd be lying if I said that I did not enjoy watching cherry blossom petals twirl gracefully in the wind. They picked up from the ground joining their sisters which had left the trees in a rather intense aerial ballet performance; spiralling into the morning sky.

When the wind did finally settle down, it hit me just how much more effort I'd have to put in my work.

Rokujo sighs. I mirror her.

" We're not finishing anytime soon, are we? " she said pushing up her round glasses.

" No. This is going to take us a long time. "

☆☆☆

" Kill me, " Rokujo sighs. She lets herself fall next to me and we sit there, in the shade, " Not that I want to die again though. "

" I know, " I reckon we look like two idiots who are staring blankly in front of us. Maybe the other shinigami think we are contemplating on our lives, how our past choices led us here.

Come join us, I think. Let's have a very much overdue existential crisis together.

We stay like this for a while. No one will bother us. We're like a simple piece of furniture to them, a decoration. I enjoy this thought. Like this I shall not be bothered. I can think of him, I can let my mind wander; think of what I did and what I did not.

But Rokujo has other plans.

" Alright, " she stands up and dusts her robes. I watch her, my gaze silently pleading, " We've still got things to do. On to the next task, Ryuugamine. "

She does not wait for me. By the time I finish cursing her in my mind, she is already far away. I chase after her.

By the time I catch up with her, she already has a few tools with her, mostly used for cutting wood. She hands me a few and a bag of refreshments. Hers contain food. Rokujo locks eyes with me. Her eyes of a rich brown like the earth are stern. A warning.

I better not slack off. She knows I'm a hardworker but half of my will to actually to something mostly come from the obligation to participate. It is bound to my duty as a shinigami. The other half occurs in momentary bursts of energy.

We're probably heading to a construction or renovation site somewhere in the Seireitei. It's the job of our squad for the most part...

" On the surface at least, " I recall our captain's words during his very first speech to us. The squad was only made up of six members at the time: five shinigami and a mother hen of a zanpakuto spirit, " Gramps told me the Construction Squad actually has another purpose--like an ace if reinforcements are needed- "

Rokujo had raised her, " You mean like a reserve army? "

" Yeah, basically. Brace yourselves for everything except combat. "

He was right. So far we participated in only a handful of battles. Nothing too fancy. The mission we are given were also mostly ones others are too busy to attend to. To adapt and retain the little pride we have left, we re-purposed our squad to one which takes on menial tasks. Construction is our main job- when it's needed that is. If not then our second most important task is to help the 4th Division when patients are overflowing.

" Good work today! " Rokujo exclaims to our colleagues as we reach our destination.

" Thanks for your hardwork. " I add. It comes out flatly and I pressed my lines in a thin line. Why? I didn't mean to use that tone.

Rhea-san must have figured out how I feel because she quickly says, " Don't worry about it, darling. We know you mean well. "

She exchanges a furtive glance with Rokujo, giggles when she glances back at me and bends down to grab the tools. Her cherry-blossom pink hair is cut short, it curves to reach her shoulders. A simple yellow hair pin prevent her bangs from falling in her eyes. Her grey eyes sparkle with amusement as she steals another glance before walking away.

I can feel my brow furrow. But I quickly dismiss it. Keeping a straight face has become my routine.

" Is there something on my face? " I ask the redhead while I help her ready the meal.

" Pfft! No, nope. Didn't see anything! "

Strange. But I decide to ignore it. I am already preoccupied by the fact that we're at the 12th Division. Captain Kurotsuchi isn't one of one squad's favourites. If anything, he's probably last on the list. We don't loathe him. We fear him.

The redhead hands me the tools. She pushes up her oval glasses. I am to bring the tools to the others.

Sigh. At least I will not have to climb the scaffolding. It's tiresome enough. Not today at least.

The said scaffolding is made out of bamboo and is rather impressive going half the height of a wall of the 12's headquarters. An unforseen 'fight' broke out here yesterday. Between Captain Kurotsuchi out of all people and one group of our colleagues. They accidentally pissed him off; knocked down some very important chemicals and test-tubes while cleaning, apparently. The quarrel, more like punishment, resulted with a half destroyed wall and a good dozen of us sent to the 4th. Madara has it the worst: half his limbs are broken.

I just don't get Kurotsuchi. No reason behind it. I just don't.

It's almost lunchtime. I hurry to Rokujo. We set everything up at a frightening pace, get cooking, stand ready to serve our famished colleagues who scramble into a straight line. We will lunch here itself, under the scorching sun. They will need to get back to work as soon as possible. The deadline for the reconstruction is due tomorrow. I hand out silvery trays with steamed rice, vegetables and bowls which Rokujo fills with miso soup after delivering a generous portions of chicken curry in their trays.

In less than a hour, everything is cleaned up and they get back to work. Time is most treacherous to those who think they can take their time. When Rokujo and I have packed up everything, I suddenly feel dizzy. Everything when like a blur. I hate it. Take a deep breath, I remind myself, exhale slowly. I re-compose myself.

" Next time, let's make something easier, " I say to Rokujo.

She nods slowly. She seems in midst of rebooting her brain. Guess it was too much for her as well. She offers me an encouraging smile. I do the same.

" How about curry bread? " she suggests, " We'll only have to fry on the spot. "

" Yeah, sounds good. " I answer after pondering for a short while, " Do we have anything else on our to-do list for today? "

She pulls out a piece a paper from her kimono and studies it attentively.

" Drop by the 4th, " I see her tense up, " Hopefully their situation has improved. "

We readily shunpo there.

☆☆☆

I do not recall coming across Captain Unohana. That is good. We do not want any unnecessary and troublesome encounters. We quietly slip into the medical ward and upon requesting assistance from a shinigami, we are brought to the room where our colleagues rest.

The air feels heavy here. I do not like it.

There are two rows of white beds facing each other. All six leaning against opposite walls. Our visit seem to lighten up the atmosphere and cheer up those who are awake. 3 are sitting up, one lays in bed, one sleeps. In the far corner, there is one bed separated from the rest by a pale green curtain. I push it aside. Madara is there, lying on the bed, covered with bandages. His left cheek is swollen. He does not seem to notice my arrival; stares blankly at the ceiling.

My heart tightens. A sour taste invades my mouth. Captain Kurotsuchi did not have to go this far...Madara stood up to him, yes. To protect his subordinates. He is a good man; a funny man who seems to often attract misfortune upon himself but a kind man nonetheless. He is one of the few people I consider as my friends in the Seireitei. I've known him the longest; he was the first person I spoke to after joining the Construction Squad.

I quietly pull a nearby chair and sit next to Madara.

" I thought I had ascended again, " He says

I nods, " These death jokes are a trend now? "

He laughs, stops abruptly, winces in pain and goes quiet.  Madara looks at me.

" You're not too lonely without me, aren't you? "

" On the contrary, I feel at peace. Rokujo is a great partner. "

" Bah! " He looks at his now mummified body, " I wonder when I'll be able to take these off..."

" In due time, " comes Rokujo's voice. She opens the curtain and stand next to me, " You're a fast healer, Madara-san. I'm sure you'll have fully recovered in one or two months. "

" Only if you visit often, " He smiles.

I stand up and lightly hug Madara.

" Get well soon, " I wish the brunet.

Rokujo kisses him on the cheek, " We'll miss you. "

Madara's eyes blurr. Tears pour down his face. " Sh*t. I'll make sure to annoy the heck out of you guys when I'm back. I'm gonna reclaim my lost screen time! They cannot do this to me. Cast me aside as soon as we resume? As if I'll let them! "

" Sure, sure, " Rokujo chuckles, " We'll get going now, " she exits Madara's space. I follow her, " Rest well, everyone. "

" Yeah. "

       
" Thank you! "

" Ugh...keep it down! "

☆☆☆

The way back was rather uneventful. Sure, perhaps to some of you it may think that we've de-evolved from an action genre to a slice of life in a single chapter. I beg you to differ. We will not stay like this for long. Let's say just a few chapters?

In any case, instead of a slice of life this might turn into a comedy.

You know, just like how every human is an actor performing on the stage called Life.

What bout the other genres, you ask? What about that romance tag put in the description? My answer is simple: we live in a world where being single is a trend. Bless those who are in a relationship; leave them be. Let them enjoy their sweet lovebirds moment while you return to your lovely computer/mobile screen and dream of a passive romance instead of actively seeking one.

Learn to love yourself first. Then you love someone.

I mean not everyone can be a womaniser of the likes of Osamu Dazai. No, not the one from Bungo Stray Dogs! The real one.

Splash!

Hot water of the onsen* hits my skin. I bathe in it feeling my tense muscles relax. My body is sucked further in till my chin grazes the surface. Cupping a handful of water, I raise my right arm at a slightly acute angle. I position my hand so that it will follow the path of my left arm, close my eyes and gently pour the water along my limb. Once that is done, a relaxed sigh escapes from my lips. I lay the back of my head on the rough edge of the onsen.

It is a blissful moment.

I feel eyes on me but pay them no mind. There are footsteps. Then, a quiet splash.

This is the male-only hotbath.

Maybe it's Captain Hibiki?

It wouldn't hurt to check, sneers the voice in my head, the one which whispers all sorts of bad things to you.

Between half-lided eyes I recognise one of the new recruits. Kasumi Arata was his name. You could not miss him with is fiery, copper-red hair, lavender eyes and bronze skin. He sat diagonally to my right. I tilted my head a little and opened my eyes.

Our gaze met. His eyes widen in suprise. I chuckle in amusement. His initial shock has disappeared now.

" How're you holding up, junior? "

He does not answer readily, " It's manageable...I guess? "

" You'll get used to it. "

He nods slowly.

" If I had to give you an advice...Don't cross Adohira. Don't catch too much of her attention either... "

" Adohira? "

" Our vice-captain. The woman with a hot pink blob for hair. "

" Oh..."

The conversation dies after this. Arata looks like he want to continue but he doesn't manage to get words out of his mouth. I do not mind. I like my peace and quiet.

I leave not long after and return to my quarters. Darkness envelops me as soon as my head hits my pillow.

☆☆☆

Early mornings are not really my thing. I have no hope of a quiet morning. It's a rarity at the Construction Squad. Why you might ask But? Well, you'll see soon enough...

After what felt like an eternity, light filtered through the beige curtains and I heard my inner exclaim: Rise and shine, ursine!

As always, chaos ensues.