☆ 001 [video]

[i_love_taiyaki]

[The feed is an EXTREME CLOSE-UP on Renji's eye as he peers into the lens, then pulls the device back and tilts it on its side. It's pretty obvious he doesn't really know what he's doing with this technology nonsense. He definitely looks a bit worse for wear--he's bleeding visibly and appears to have scorch marks all over his face and upper torso

Comments

1/3

[littlestkuchiki]

[Just another day-]

[i_love_taiyaki]

[There's something wrong in her posture, in the way her fingers tighten over his, in the undulating edges of her reiatsu, the way her presence pulses and jumps like an overused muscle. The Ninth Espada? Renji doesn't know who that is or what he did to her, but whatever it was, it must have been one helluva fight. He's not going to prod her about it: if she wants to talk she knows she can.

He jumps a little at her next response though.]

Zero? There's a fuckin' Zero Espada? [He retrieves his hand from beneath hers and crosses his arms at the wrist over his head.] Uh-uh, no way, I object. That's cheating. Zero Espada--who the hell said that was allowed??

[Eight had been plenty pain in the ass for a lifetime, thanks.]

[littlestkuchiki]

[She's grateful that he doesn't prod. She'll tell him... eventually. He has enough on his plate to worry about right now. She is unsurprised at his indignation at the revelation of the Zero Espada.]

I don't know, it seems that Aizen and the Espada write the damn rules as they go along. Nii-sama and Zaraki-taichou dealt with him, we didn't fare so well. We were on our way back when I was brought here.

[i_love_taiyaki]

[Siiiiigh.] Well, then I guess all we can say is good thing we got badass captains to help us out sometimes. [Another harrumph.] Sure would be nice to actually win a fight for myself once in a while, though, shit.

[He sits down on the front stoop of the building and props his elbows on his knees, draping his arms between them, then looks up at Rukia again.]

So Kuchiki-taichou tells me Aizen and his cronies are here, too. Do we know where they're holed up? Seems like maybe here they at least can't disappear into thin air and hide...

[littlestkuchiki]

[She sighs and sits beside him.]

Nii-sama seems determined to make sure that we avoid them; I'm amazed Ichigo in particular hasn't gone after Aizen yet. I don't know... everything in me wants to go after them and tear them to pieces, but what sort of difference would I be able to make?

[Her hands on her knees grip her skirt tightly before she straightens up and turns to him.]

Right, which place hurts the worst?

1/2

[i_love_taiyaki]

[Renji gives a derisive snort.] Right, avoid 'em. 'Cuz they're just gonna go away on their own. It's out of our hands, he says--bah. Ain't that just like him. 'Let's just let the justice of this place run its course.' S'bullshit; I dunno how he can't wanna tear them to pieces after everything they've done.

[i_love_taiyaki]

[He stops when she squares her shoulders--uh oh, she's doing that no-nonsense thing she does--and then he glances down at his tattered clothes before waving his hands a bit at her.]

It's really not that bad. Seriously, I can walk and everything just fine, you don't gotta fuss. [Gratitude is evident in his expression, but he really just thinks everybody's worrying too much.]

[littlestkuchiki]

I'm not fussing, I'm fixing you up. Honestly, did you try healing these yourself? I haven't seen you this badly burnt since the academy.

[i_love_taiyaki]

Wh--no, I didn't try and heal them myself. I'm not stupid. I can't even get offensive kidou right most of the time, you think I'm gonna try and heal myself? [He shakes his head firmly.] I'd prolly end up worse off.

[littlestkuchiki]

Exactly, which is why I'm going to heal you instead. Don't make me use bakudou on you Renji, where does it hurt?

[She is already channelling reiryoku into visible blue healing energy.]

[i_love_taiyaki]

[Well now he just looks embarrassed.]

I... I dunno, like everywhere. Grantz beat the shit out of us, I'm kinda pissed to admit.

[littlestkuchiki]

[For once, she'll let his embarrassment slide and gently puts her hands on his stomach, hoping that it will help somewhat.]

No one ever said going to wage war on the Espada was going to be easy.

[She of all people knows and understands that.]