Working hard...

[iwillmendyou]

Characters: Hanatarou. OPEN LOG, can stand as solo. But no, seriously, OPEN LOG.
When: Wednesday, late evening.
Where: Unused Fourth Division training ground.
Rating: G, PG just to cover.
Summary: Hanatarou is practicing with the book loaned to him by his Captain. His results may vary.

Comments

HERE HAVE A CREEPER :D

[ikorose]

Things were moving along smoothly, and to his benefit, it was his Zanpakutou doing most of the work right then. That left one Ichimaru Gin blessedly free to wander and do what he wished. His presence still made the streets clear as he walked by--at least his old division was slightly more welcoming. But he knew the reactions they would give him. That grew boring after a while

Yay! Creepy funtimes with Gin! :D

[iwillmendyou]

The sound of another's voice was enough to shatter Hanatarou's concentration into pieces. Smooth and friendly as though commenting on nothing more mundane than the weather or a hard job of sweeping the courtyard. Hanatarou still scuttled back as through struck, looking wildly overhead until he found the source of the voice he already knew. His breath caught in his throat and he had to force himself to remain where he was and not snatch the book and Hisagomaru up and run.

"I-Ichimaru... Sir." His voice trembled, but his hands where steady when he reached for Captain Unohana's book. Hanatarou's fingertips brushed across the cold ceramic of Hisagomaru's pot. "I'm just... practicing, S-Sir. Yudou wards." He glanced off to the side, wanting to flee, but not daring to move.

[ikorose]

If it were not obvious enough, but Gin feigned interest in the boy's activities. Really, this was like leaving a little sheep out for the wolves, though the Fourth was not known for having the most sturdy stock. Perhaps it was unfair to pick on the Seventh Seat. Too bad fairness did not measure in the equation at all. This was Gin's mental well-being at stake.

"Ohhh~?" he asked, tilting his head to the side as the edges of his mouth curled up in his characteristic grin. "Under th' suggestion of Unohana-taichou, yeah? How's it goin'?"

[iwillmendyou]

"On my own." He replied with the truth because it didn't occur to him to do otherwise. "I asked Unohana-taichou if I-- She had a book," Hanatarou said quietly. "I mean, she had a book. She said I could borrow it and study." He felt more than saw Hisagomaru's leaves flutter slightly without a breeze to disturb them. No connection between the two of them now. Just distant sounds like the rattling of dry seeds in an empty gourd. "I'm practicing on my own, Sir." Hanatarou's voice was soft and tight like he had to force every word out. No reason to be afraid, he tried to tell himself. No reason at all. "It's... It's not going... I have the incantations memorized. But that's it."

[ikorose]

It was almost sickeningly sweet how Hanatarou was replying to him, probably one of the few left in Soul Society that would show him an ounce of respect even if the were not required to. Gin never really paid much attention to the Fourth; Unohana was a scary woman once you got her going, he had heard. That, and there was only so much fun to be had through teasing the gullible. He did prefer a challenge.

The will it was taking to stand there talking to him, though, was enough to keep him going. Gin kicked his legs like a child at a park, leaning to one side to prop his weight up on his elbow.

"Why don't you show me what'cha been learnin', then~" he suggested with an amiable smile. (Or as amiable as Ichimaru Gin was capable of). "Maybe I can give ya a few pointers~"