the_rotator

She's the best at hakuda, isn't she? I need to brush up on it, and no point in going to a lesser teacher.

...uh, any pointers before I go there tomorrow?

Most definitely, and it's excellent that you're seeking out good teachers. But to be honest, I'm surprised she gave you the time of day. ~~The fact that she did worries me.~~ And that's no reflection on your natural skills; the captain is just very...brusque.

Hmmm..imagine being the most professional, focused student you've ever been. Then be twice that.

That... sounds... promising. I've dealt with some harsh teachers before, I'm sure I'll be fine.

Absolutely sure.

~~I won't tell you otherwise, that would be cruel.~~ I hope it goes well. I'm sure you could learn a lot from the captain.

Have you been well? I meant to ask how your classes are coming sooner, but it's been a trying week.

It's... yeah, it's been a trying week, that describes it pretty well.

I had a long talk with Ichigo. About his, um, special problem. Maybe said some things I can't take back. Classes are okay ~~even if I barely bother paying attention anymore~~, and I'm getting a lot of help outside the classroom.

Oh...so he told you.

I'm sorry. I suppose I lied to you by omission by not telling you the whole truth when you came to visit me in the Fourth, but I didn't think it was my secret to tell. And to be honest, I didn't want you to think any less of him. What happened that night wasn't his fault.

Yeah, I understand why you didn't tell me. I wouldn't want anyone going around talking about it if I was in his shoes.

For what it's worth, he copes with it admirably. He never asked for such a thing, but he uses it to protect people, Inoue included. He used the mask to keep them both alive in Hueco Mundo.

Orihime does know, huh? That's good, I wouldn't want her to learn about it for the first time and get scared.

I just... sorta wish he'd told me sooner, and didn't leave it as a surprise like this.

She knows. We were all there in those early days, when he was still struggling to understand what he had to deal with. Inoue's a brave person; I think she'll always look at him and see the big idiot he is, not the mask.

If I had to hazard a guess...I would say he didn't want to lose your trust or respect. It shook him badly when his Hollow sneaked enough control to attack me. But I don't believe anything like that will happen again.

He makes his mistakes, but they come from his not wanting to hurt people.

Edited 2008-12-10 23:15 (UTC)

I won't say I wouldn't have reacted any better earlier, but... dammit, I don't know. This whole thing just makes my soul itch. Me and Hollows, we're never going to get along, no matter what this fake peace says. I've been avoiding him except for training, and it makes me feel really bad, but I just don't want to have to talk about it again. He still feels the same, but it's like there's something underneath and that Hollow's peeking out at me.

Inoue... she really loves him. She'll never hate or mistrust him, ever. She'd do anything for him, and the big idiot doesn't even realize how deep she's in it for him. You don't know her like I do, but... every time something bad happens to him, I can see her heart break more.

It's okay to give yourself time. You had to learn about the worst of the situation all at once; even Ichigo only had to face it in steps, from what he's told me. But he's not the same as the Hollow. You can trust me on that.

Oh...I see. We've become friends and I could see she had a crush on him, but...of course he would never notice. That's how Ichigo is.

I want to trust him, I really do. Maybe that's what'll make my zanpakutou happy, if I can somehow get over this.

Sorry, maybe I shouldn't have told you that. It just gets really frustrating how much she loves him and he's off being Captain Oblivious. ~~I just want her to be happy.~~

If you want to, you will. It's normal to need time to cope after a shock.

It's okay. I won't repeat it to anyone. I know I haven't known her nearly as long as you, but Inoue means a lot to me. I don't want to see her sad, and I hate seeing her in the hands of those madmen.

I'll get over it. I always do somehow.

Thanks, Rukia. I'd do anything to get her out of here and back home happy. That's why I need to train hard, and don't stop.

Um, I just saw Ichigo post that he went and got drunk, that's not my fault, is it?

We'll find a way, one of these days. You're not the only one determined to get stronger for her sake.

Oh...no, at least not entirely. Probably not even mostly. Captain Ukitake discovered the true name of Ichigo's father and identified him as Shiba Nobuu, uncle of our former vice-captain...and there's a certain family resemblance that surprised him, I think.

...

Isshin-san is what now. ~~fskdjo[nsdfo[sdbnfuo~~

Uh. Does that mean he's related to, uh, those other two people Shiba people he told me about?

We knew he was a captain who'd faked his death, but even I didn't see this coming. I remember hearing stories of his long-lost captain uncle from Kaien-dono, but I never would have guessed Isshin-san was the same man.

Yes. They're cousins. ~~I wish he could have known Kaien.~~

God, what the hell is going on around here?

Well, if he's got family here, he should go see them. Any clue where they are?

I'm afraid I don't. Kuukaku-san was always a wanderer, and I'm not sure where she's made their home right now. Captain Ukitake might know. The only Shiba I knew well was their brother Kaien, and well...he's gone now.

Ugh, wonderful. And if they live out in Rukongai, finding them will be a massive pain in the ass. Oh well, maybe they'll show up eventually.

You and Kaien-san, you were in the Thirteenth at the same time, right? I don't know much about him at all.

[OMG MORE OPENING UP]

I'm sure there's a way. Kuukaku-san isn't exactly a quiet neighbor; someone must know where she is. If Ichigo wants to see his family now that he knows they are family, he'll get to.

Yes...he was already vice-captain when I entered the Gotei, and his wife the third seat. He taught me a great deal. Knowing they're family, Ichigo reminds me of him in some ways, but they were also very different.

I wonder if he'll want some company... I think Kuukaku doesn't sound that far off from her uncle, and me and Isshin-san got along okay ~~when he wasn't joking about me and Ichigo getting married and getting Masaki-san grandchildren...~~

Ah, he must have meant a lot to you, then. It's pretty cool that Ichigo's taking after his extended family too.

She does have some of Isshin-san's temperament. Really, looking back, I feel like I should have realized they were related much earlier.

He did. I wish he could have met him...Kaien-dono would have liked Ichigo. Teased him mercilessly, but liked him.

Well, we're his family too now, so we'll just have to tease him mercilessly in his cousin's place. I'm sure it'll make his soul rest easy.

...

I'm sure you're right.

Any excuse to pick on Ichigo's fun with me.

Hey, I gotta get running, going to go meet up with Orihime. Thanks for the chat, it really made me feel better.

I'm glad. Take care, Arisawa-san.

11;

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[Private] Oh goddammit that was mean

[Private] Tatsuki is going to feel GOD AWFUL when/if she learns

[Private] She has to sooner or later. Have her say something to Ichigo for maximum horror.