With the Captains suffering casualties and heavy injuries on their side, all hope seemed to be lost... until Shinji Hirako appeared, along with the rest of the former Shinigami. Though the aid of the Vizards certainly helped to draw the battle in their favor, it seemed Aizen's power alone proved too much for them.
A petite brunette stopped just in front of the gates of Sereitei, panting heavily. It had been particularly hot that day and even the shade of her red bamboo parasol provided little comfort from the heat. "Stupid kimono," She muttered quietly to herself, helplessly tugging at the pink fabric which was now clinging to her body, drenched in her own sweat.
It was a rare occurance that Natsume Kyoko would be seen outside the walls of her manor unaccompanied, but today was an exception. Okay, so she might have snuck out while Junichi and Kenichi weren't looking, but who's keeping track?
And so she just stood there, staring up at the huge gates which guarded the center of Soul Society, wondering what it must be like to live outside those walls--in the Rukongai
Last Edit: Jul 16, 2009 12:25:56 GMT -5 by akesato
Roiben was taking his after paperwork stroll through the soul society when he saw something out of the ordinary. A noble outside of their mansion. He wondered why she left her pampered little home. Even more so, why was she starring outside the gates? Which gate was he by, anyway? He lost track of were he was during his daydreaming. He looked around, and then remembered the area...
The west gate, leading to were he came from. Rukongai 80. Nobles didnt know exactly how good they had it, having everything in life handed to them. Growing up, Roiben had to fight tooth and nail to survive until he was taken to the academy.
Well, she may have been a noble, but she was a lady, so he decided to see if he could help her in any way. He walked uop to her and asked, "Anything this captain can do for you?"
Off duty and in need of peace and relaxation, Squad 4 member, Roko Hindler, was spending his afternoon taking a stroll through the Sereitei. Upon sight of the entrance gate, the first destination in his walk, he noticed a red parasol twirling about and, with a young lady wielding it in hope of shading her fragile skin from the burning sun. Near here was the Roiben, captain of Squad 5. Getting closer, he recognized the young girls face,
What is she doing out...especially with the captain rare was it to see a Kyoko walking about all on her lonesome. Nearing the young noble woman, Roko began correcting his posture and adjust his Zanpakuto, just enough so it was slightly more noticeable. A slight bit of jealousy began to overwhelm him, Why did the captain get to be out with her, I got to see whats going on.
Walking up behind the young lady and captain, trying to make his presence aware he cleared his throat, "Excuse me, Miss, couldn't help but wonder, do you need an escort? I don't want the captain to be side tracked by trivial issues such as this and I don't believe a young lady like yourself should be out all on her own." Roko managed to let out a grin. The girl was quiet pretty in Roko's eyes, he couldn't believe he actually was able to say this without stuttering the least bit.
He turned to the captain and flashed another smile. This time it was much harder to do so. Stay cool Roko...Stay cool..
Last Edit: Jul 16, 2009 13:15:34 GMT -5 by akesato
Well, this was an unexpected turn of events. In an act of shyness, Kyoko hid her face behind her kimono sleeve, only the bridge of her nose and large chocolate brown eyes were visible. She shifted her gaze back and forth between the two Shinigami, not really sure what to make of their eagerness to assist her. Surely, both had much better things to do, especially that Captain fellow.
"I appreciate the offer but I'm fine really," She whispered quietly, her voice slightly muffled by her sleeve. In a way, Kyoko preferred to be by herself at this time, but then again that would probably be impossible to do. There really was no way she would be able to blend in with the crowd no matter how much she wished she could. "I was just looking around. I didn't mean to be a bother."
One of Roiben's eyebrows raised. He was actually quite shocked...
"A noble with manners? Haha. I wish there were more of you in this world. Maybe then i'd be able to get along with them."
This noble seemed alright by his book. However, it seemed like she was wondering. Wondering what the outside was like. Roiben smiled and shouted to the gatekeeper, "Hey, open the gate. This young lady would like to see the outside world."
Roiben held his hand out to her in a polite gesture. "I will be your escourt." Roiben was much smarter than people ghave him credit, and was very good at figuring out psychological things, often knowing things without being told them by observing the situation.
Grumbling underneath his breath at the captains insistence to escort the beautiful Kyoko. "Gah...Then I shall also accompany you if it be your bidding."
Why am I so jealous of the Captain! With the proposal to explore the Rukongai, Roko knew he had to jump on the opportunity. "We know for a young lady of your sort, it must be hard to travel. I will escort you with the captain and keep my distance, as it is obvious you wish to have your space." Roko wanted to just assure her he had the right intentions in mind. "If danger is to come I shall surely be by your side."
Knowing nothing else to say, he lowered his head in a bow and took two steps back, allowing for Natsume to pass and enter the Rukongai if she pleased.
Kyoko took a few moments to consider the offer. Kenichi and Junichi would never take her to the Rukongai no matter how many times she begged them, so this could be her only chance. They always said it was too dangerous. In a way, these two Shinigami were just like her guardsmen, treating her like a glass doll that would shatter at their touch, simply because of her social status. That was one thing that probably would never change, not as long as she held the Natsume family name.
Kyoko didn't say anything, she just lowered her sleeve and nodded shyly, adjusting the parasol on her shoulder before stepping through the open gate. This would definitely be a walk to remember.
"I know what it's like out there. Outside these gates is Rukongai district 80, were I came from. It's not a nice neighborhood, especially if they see a noble. There not exactly friendly to people of higher status."
Roiben walked at her side, knowing what kinds of vilanous people lived outside these walls. He himself was once one of them, but could you blame him? It was survival of the fittest, and he never planned on losing.
As they walked through, many people watched as they walked out. The people watched them, surprised to see a captain level shinigami in the area, and especially surprised to see a noble. On person who saw the trio shouted, "Go back to your pampered little crib, noble brat!"
Roiben looked at her and said, "Just ignore them. They won't try anything with a captain around."
Walking a good 10 feet behind the noble, Roko watched on as the onlookers began to harass her. As much as he wanted to, his law and morals forbid him from causing them any harm for such a pathetic reason as this. When passing the man who shouted at Kyoko, with not an eye on him, he reached for his Zanpakuto quickly, causing the man to jump in fear. That was all he needed Ahh that felt good...
Buildings seemed to begin to decay as they walked further down the streets of the Rukongai. The neighborhoods became worse as steps passed. I don't have a good feeling about this... Not wanting anything bad to happen to Kyoko, Roko stopped in his tracked called out to the two ahead of him, "Sorry to intrude! But I believe we should turn back. Maybe get closer to the gates"
>>>"Just ignore them. They won't try anything with a captain around."<<<
Kyoko found very little comfort in the captain's words, so all she could do was try to quicken her pace, well she went as fast as one could wearing a kimono and geta. She kept her sad brown eyes focused on the ground, too scared to look at these people who seemed to hate her for no reason. They were clearly jealous of her status but Kyoko just couldn't understand why they felt that way. She never wanted this life. In fact, she still didn't. Maybe she understood how they felt a little, the living conditions were obviously horrid but at least they were free; which was more than Kyoko could say.
>>>"Sorry to intrude! But I believe we should turn back. Maybe get closer to the gates"<<<
She stopped in her tracks and turned around to look at the man. He seemed concerned about the current situation and perhaps he was right to do so. It seemed like the farther into Rukongai they traveled, the more angry and violent the inhabitants became.
"H...Hai." She agreed in her usual quiet tone, one that was just barely above a whisper. At the very same moment, a large stone came ripping through her bamboo parasol, missing the back of her head by just a fraction of an inch. A confused and frightened Kyoko twisted her body around in order to face her attackers which much to her surprise, turned out to be a group of children. 'It must have been an accident' she assured herself, taking a few seconds to mourn the loss of one of her favorite parasols. She couldn't be angry about it though, there was no way these innocent children could commit such a heinous act on purpose.
Oh, but how wrong she was. Those 'innocent' children were now screaming obscenities she'd never even heard before and much to her horror, they decided they would hurl more stones her way!
