Day 29: Courtyard
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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He'd been hoping to see flowers when he came into the Courtyard. Since he was alone, Homura thought he might indulge himself in remembering more of the past. But there was nothing there but sharply cold air, though thankfully not so bad as that room he'd found with Hijikata. It was an almost enjoyable chill this way, sharp contrast to the constant perfected weather of Heaven.
Had he really spent so long here, that the seasons had begun to change? Homura didn't think so, but time had a way of becoming tricky in prison. In the end, any amount of time was too long, and needed no further definition.
But still. Flowers would have been nice.
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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.
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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?"
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"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?"
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"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."
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"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.
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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."
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Hitsugaya couldn't help but notice Homura's attention switch from their conversation to the fauna around them. The plants had long stopped blooming...or had they ever? It was hard to tell in this place, but it was clear that it was no longer summer, and had not come to spring. He liked that, for Fall was a mere prelude to winter, and snow on the ground would be a calming sight. Whatever reason Homura had for glancing at the vegitation, he didn't seem interested in sharing, and Hitsugaya had no interest in prying.
"Understood," he said, wondering when his division had become a babysitting service. He could likely blame Renji for that. As gruff as he was, he seemed to have a soft spot for children, which meant that they picked up a lot of people who weren't capable of fighting.
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Hitsugaya was right in that this once, Homura wasn't interested in sharing. It worked out to his benefit that he hadn't been allowed to lose himself to thought, as it would hardly do to have Hitsugaya see him in that state. Still, he couldn't help a tinge of regret. He would simply have to settle for the dried flower Okita had given him, and the clothes waiting in his closet.
They would do for now.
That the Captain beside him was willing to accept the two was, in Homura's mind, his misfortune. From what he had learned from Renji, the shinigami were as much about combat as the army of Heaven (at least from the times when the position of Toushin Taishi remained vacant). If nothing else, he was curious to see how Hitsugaya would use these two, or if he would try anything beyond mere acceptance.
"Since we are speaking of information," Since the opportunity was there, Homura saw every reason to take advantage of it. "You mentioned I have the newest map. But what else have you learned since we last spoke?"
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He paused slightly, raising an eyebrow in Homura's direction. "How about yourself?"
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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."
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"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.
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"I'm aware of his vow. He tried to stop us last night as well." It was a foolish promise in Homura's opinion, but he wasn't one to impede on the free will of others. It would be simple enough to send Kenshin on other assignments when he wished to hunt nurses. He just had to hope that the man didn't get it into his head that anything else was human either, or that parts of humans should be granted immunity from death.
Really, for some creatures, death was simply the better option.
Then a certain blond came out, and a smirk played on Homura's lips. Today, Sanzo would be spared Homura's presence, out of respect of his loss. Tomorrow was another day, however, and if Kenren convinced the former Konzen to join them that night, all the better. Still, the monk could be particularly volatile at times, and no doubt this would be one of them.
"The person I spoke of that's missing. He is one of Sanzo's close allies, though he'll be loathe to admit it." Servants, not friends, is how they'd been described to the demi-god. "He'll no doubt be more cross than normal during dinner."
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"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."
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"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."
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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]
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