16;

[the_rotator]

Note to members of Division 13 or other officers who may have business with us while the Captain is overseeing the taishu—

Apologies for my lateness this morning. A few notes were left in my absence, and yes, I'll be overseeing division matters while Captain Ukitake and the others are occupied with choosing the future path of the Gotei. Squad leaders, this doesn't mean slacking off on drills—I'll be circulating later this afternoon to make sure. We may already have a captain, but everyone still needs to be in top shape.

[Private]

I dreamed of him again last night. I thought I was done with that—it's been months—but I suppose I can't ever escape what happened there. All I can do is protect the captain from having to know about it. I couldn't bear if he were hurt by it—and I took care of it, so there's no reason he will be.

Dreaming of that night always throws me off-balance. I'll be glad when this day is done.

Comments

[fighting-boy.livejournal.com]

If you need me to kick any asses or just toss out some high-volume motivation, just holler.

[Private]

Also, you're never late, and you didn't even snap at me about getting the equipment tallies all fucked up. What's the matter? Wanna grab a bite and talk about it after, or just take over the training ground for some therapeutic after-hours glacier shooting? Bet you still can't catch me more'n ten percent of the time.

[the-rotator.livejournal.com]

I can always use you for that, but let's give them a chance to prove they're working first.

[Private]

Just a bad morning, nothing serious. But that does sound nice; I'll take that bet.

[fighting-boy.livejournal.com]

I'll be over in records sorting out the equipment tallies. If I don't show up for lunch, then assume the dust bunnies got me and send a rescue squad. With a vacuum cleaner.

[Private]

You're on. Like always. Loser pays for dinner possibly so I'll have a good excuse to treat you for once.

... Sure you don't wanna talk about it? Over an hour, Rukia. That's not normal.

[the-rotator.livejournal.com]

We should probably set some squads on cleaning duty, shouldn't we? I suppose it's not proper shinigami work, but it does need to be done if the dirt is threatening to defeat the mighty Kurosaki Ichigo.

[Private]

Hmm. Bring your wallet then.

What's there to talk about? I overslept. You can make fun of me for it later.

[fighting-boy.livejournal.com]

Maybe Vice-Captain Kuchiki would like to expand her inspection of the premises to the strategically less important archive rooms?

Substitute shinigami Kurosaki will arm himself with a broom and a breathing mask and sally forth, how's that? I oughta have these sorted out in... two hours, tops.

[Private]

Fair's fair. Though I figure you can always just tell them to send a bill later.

Ha ha, lazybones. On a normal person, I'd say that's healthy, but you don't believe in overexertion. As in, it's rejected from the immediate space surrounding you.

[the-rotator.livejournal.com]

Just make sure you do a good job, substitute. I'll bring the white gloves.

[Private]

Only if you're fast enough to be the winner. We'll see.

Very droll, Ichigo.

[fighting-boy.livejournal.com]

[Private]

Fucking ludicrous. Now talk to me. Please. The longer you stall the better I know something's not right.

[the-rotator.livejournal.com]

[Private]

What is your problem? So what if I had a bad dream? Is it really that big a deal, that you want to know all about it?

[fighting-boy.livejournal.com]

[Private]

Not a big deal, just an important one.

[the-rotator.livejournal.com]

[Private]

Not that I can see. And what's the difference?

Private

[fighting-boy.livejournal.com]

It doesn't matter two shits in the grand scheme of things, but it matters to me you come to work looking like you've just puked your guts out and plastered on the Hakuren Glare to hide that you'd rather go kill something messily than grin and do the correspondence.

That's the difference.

Private

[the-rotator.livejournal.com]

I should have just taken today off.

I appreciate your concern, but I am fine. Go do your dusting and I'll see you a little later.

Private

[fighting-boy.livejournal.com]

Yes ma'am.

[thirteenthsong.livejournal.com]

Thank you for your hard work, Rukia.

[Private]

Do you need any time off after having to run the division these last few days? It won't be a nuisance, if you do: Norima's been slacking some and could use an additional to her workload. Perhaps I need to promote a Third Seat soon...

[the-rotator.livejournal.com]

You're very welcome, sir. I'm only doing my job.

[Private]

No, no extra time off other than my usual rest days is necessary, but thank you. Things are going well, and Ichigo has helped a lot too.

Is Norima all right?

[Private]

[thirteenthsong.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear you're doing alright. The actual exams are over now, just the grading left to go over and assigning, so I'll be around more.

Norima is... I don't even know, the incident with that letter and the popularity it brought her has gone to her head.

[Private]

[the-rotator.livejournal.com]

Oh my. And here I thought the fallout from that was done with.

[Private]

[thirteenthsong.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't call it fallout, precisely. I've never seen her so happy and full of energy, but she is easily distracted now.