Day 29: Courtyard

[traitors_smile]

Though he hadn't been able to stomach much of the cafeteria food, as the day went on, he did feel marginally better.  The fever seemed to have broken and he'd held down what little he'd eaten.  It made him a little anxious, to sit around so much, and even if it was difficult, a walk outside sounded like a nice break from the usual.  He had no

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[screwthegods]

Visitors. The thought was rather frightening, especially to a man who knew firsthand that this place could bring back the dead. But Homura wasn't one of the ones called, so for the moment at least, he had escaped the torture. It left him in a strange position, however. It was rare that the demi-god had no plans during the day, and for now he decided to take advantage of it. Homura was certainly no stranger to keeping his own company, after all

[whiteychan]

The idea of visitors hadn't pleased the small captain. He knew exactly who Martin Landel would have brought to toy with his mind, and he didn't want to have to deal with that. Thankfully his name hadn't been called during this shift.

He walked out into the courtyard and skimmed those who had already gathered here. He would have liked to have just taken a nap during this free shift, but there was still too much work to be done. It had been a while since he had gotten the opportunity to just rest under a tree for a while...instead there was always work to be done.

Like right now.

He spotted Homura and approached him in the typical quiet manner that all the shinigami captains seemed to use. "Homura," he said as he approached. "We need to talk." Need was definitely the right word for this case. If he had any other choice, he would have left the god alone, but what Kenshin had told him needed to be addressed. If other groups were forming with the same goals, they should be united.

[screwthegods]

Ah, so much for free time. Still, Hitsugaya certainly would make a pleasant diversion. Homura was well aware that the little shinigami lost no love for him, and those were often the best types to toy with. The boy's seriousness was met with a grin, smugness meant to cover the thoughts that the demi-god quickly pushed to the back of his mind.

Homura had made no connection with Hitsugaya, and felt no need to share certain things with him. It was as simple as that.

"It must be something rather pressing, if you're seeking me out." Homura moved a hand to his hip, looking down at the Captain. "Yes?"

[whiteychan]

So much like Ichimaru. So smug and self-important. He hated that, but there was no reason to let that show. He was, as often as one person could be, a rational man, and this was a rational discussion. Still, he'd be straight and to the point.

"I understand you've formed a group, a 'history club,' from what Himura-san informed me. I'd like to know what you're planning with this club? Are you intending to keep it just your small team, or were you thinking of expanding?"

[screwthegods]

So that was what the fuss was about. And just what did Hitsugaya care what Homura had planned? The demi-god thought it rather obvious himself, what the goal would be in the end. But it was pleasing to see the boy asking questions, at least.

"Afraid I'll steal some of your members?" Homura knew that was hardly the case, but the temptation to fluster Hitsugaya was simply too strong. "If I find others who are useful, I'll use them. Though I believe the pair I talked to earlier are more interested in what your group has to offer."

[whiteychan]

Hitsugaya raised an eyebrow slightly, resisting the urge to call him a moron for thinking he would be that jealous. Homura wasn't one of his soldiers, and it wouldn't help anything. "If you start to grow, let me know. I'm trying to get the larger groups to work together. Even as it stands, there's no reason for us to be working against one another when we all want the same thing."

"Who did you speak with?" he asked regarding the two who might be interested in his organization. It didn't hurt to have more troops.

[screwthegods]

It was Homura's turn to raise an eyebrow at the Captain beside him. Did he really think the demi-god so foolish? "I've no intention of standing in your way. I still plan to get whatever information from you there is to be had. It will save me time, after all."

He'd just said it, hadn't he? If there were people who were useful, they would be used. The sentiment ran deeper, of course, but Homura doubted Histugaya would be interested.

"Enma Ai and Ren. A set, as one spoke of them." Turning his gaze to the distance, Homura looked over the plants that surrounded them. How many more days before they flowered again? "They're more interested in information than confrontation and battle. Since those I've gathered are definitely fighters, I pointed them towards you."

[whiteychan]

Hitsugaya nodded slightly, wondering if Homura had understood exactly what he'd been saying. "What I meant was there's little point to be doing the same work twice if we can avoid it. Open communication is important. If you find something out, I'd like to learn about it just as I'm giving you what we discover." Quid Pro Quo and all of that

[screwthegods]

Homura let out a chuckle at Hitsugaya's request; so he wasn't selfless to the point of complete foolishness. "Of course. It'd hardly be fair to do otherwise, wouldn't it

[whiteychan]

As always, he was an opportunist. "Very little," Hitsugaya answered. "Last night was a wash as for as information goes." His sword had been an entirely different story. "Other than that, there's a kind of undead monster that hides in mirrors. Very difficult to kill. Unless you have to, your best option is to avoid it if possible. Blows to the normal vital points don't seem to do anything...the brain, the heart, no effect. We already know the nurses hold the keys, but we're working to see about finding a way to hunt them down. I'll let you know how that works out."

He paused slightly, raising an eyebrow in Homura's direction. "How about yourself?"

[screwthegods]

The information was exceedingly useful, and Homura already had a few new goals in mind just from hearing about the keys. And it seemed they had indeed been fortunate in the bathrooms, where mirrors were in abundance.

But that was about all there was to be gained, it seemed, and Homura had to shake his head in reply to Hitsugaya's question. "You know about the monsters with healing blood. The only other thing concerns the disappearances." He considered what he had been told by Renji. "You can sense the spirits of people you've met. One in my group has a deeper connection with one of the missing. A joined fate, you could call it. He can't sense that missing person either."

[whiteychan]

Hitsugaya listened with interest to Homura's notes. Nothing he didn't already know, and he couldn't help but wonder if Homura was hiding something from him. Still, he seemed genuine enough, and for all his selfishness, he was smart enough to know that withholding information now probably wouldn't be the best of ideas.

"I should warn you. Himura-san refuses to take a human life, and has decided that the nurses are human, even at night. You may want to avoid taking him with you if you wish to do anything with them." It seemed a decent enough warning, and Homura deserved to be prepared for anything.

[screwthegods]

There seemed to be something fundamental Homura and Hitsugaya didn't understand about each other, and as such, it was best that neither try to answer to the other. Homura, for his part, wasn't hiding anything at all. His group had simply been focused on metal and blood, not on discovery

[whiteychan]

The small gem of information about Sanzo was a surprising move on Homura's part. This wasn't something vital to their success, had not been asked of him, and had been given freely. "I'll keep that in mind," he said, still not sure what to make of this conversation. Hitsugaya and Homura were, indeed, too different to see eye to eye, but there was always the possibility that they could meet halfway. Still, there was still too much of a gap for much more than that.

"I can't think of anything else," Hitsugaya admitted. "Once your organization has built up some strength, let me know and I'll speak with Mustang-san about working with you."

[screwthegods]

Homura chuckled lightly. He hadn't given Hitsugaya information about Sanzo for Hitsugaya's sake. He was fond of Sanzo, had been since the monk's former existence in Heaven as Konzen. That was motivation enough for the demi-god.

"Don't discount my group because we're small." Homura turned away from the Captain, deciding to head back into the building. The novelty of the chill had worn off. "But I will keep in touch."

[whiteychan]

"I have no intention of doing so," Hitsugaya answered Homura, and he meant it. He only didn't want to let a team of only three or four join in the planning with Mustang and himself because he knew how complicated it could become if too many new organizations popped up and demanded representatives.

His business with Homura concluded, and no other business to be done this shift unless someone found him, Hitsugaya decided to walk to a nearby tree and take a nap.

[moving down a few threads]