Broken / Long Live The Fifth [CLOSED / Nagisa & Hatake]

Slender fingers closed around a small wooden frame, tenderly caressing the carving whilst mismatched eyes wistfully stared at the photography. It showed Lyvalaea, Seryu as they congratulated Nagisa on being accepted into the Fifth Division. That was a little more than a year ago.

“Time’s sure change, don’t they?” Nagisa’s voice sounded strangely loud in the spacious office.

With a soft sigh she placed the frame in a cardboard box, right next to a stack of papers, some old bandages and a small metal box filled with all sorts of things. Lining the box up with the corner of the heavy wooden desk Nagisa took another sweep around the room. It spouted a distinct western style, one that clashed with the rest of the barracks and made it seem one had stepped into a different world when entering, just as Jasper Aizawa had liked it. Giant bookcases, filigree lamps, comfortable chairs near a fire place at the far end of the room, but an otherwise Spartan décor.

“The Captain has always had a pennant for keeping things practical,” the Chinda mused and walked around the desk. The entire room had been hers for less than four months, the blink of an eye for a being several decades old, and Nagisa hadn’t even truly started to move in yet. Absentmindedly she corrected the position of the badge that identified her as lieutenant of the Fifth Division and circled the desk to look out of the window. In this courtyard she had formed countless bonds, honed her swordsmanship, learned what it was like to be well fed, a friend, a soldier.

“Now, now, it’s not like I’m giving any of this up,” she reprimanded herself, nails digging into her arms as she folded them before her chest. “I am moving up the chain! Right?” Thin lips pressed tightly against each other until they formed the Chinda Smile. “Then why does it feel like I am leaving home again?”

Timidly Nagisa placed a finger against the window; hoarfrost had begun to form at the edges with winter swiftly moving in. Sudden movement in the court caught her attention and tilting her head the Chinda saw a lone figure moving past pond and tree. It was her, perhaps, last appointment as Lieutenant of the Fifth. Hatake Tenso.

According to his file he was slightly shorter than her, with eyes as red the one she bore. According to prior assessment he was an upstanding and honest man, one of integrity and pride – the sort Aizawa liked and would foster. However, a brash temper and defiance for authority – the sort Aizawa did not like – had kept him from being given any serious thought.

“Still, to have made third seat, even if it was under different times and circumstances, has to account for something, right?”

With effort Nagisa slipped into the role of the Vice-Captain, straightening her back and folding her hands behind the smaller of her back. Inhaling deeply the woman steeled herself for all possibilities. Over the course of the appraisals she had done the Chinda had faced brash demands, guile schemers, submissive bootlickers – Hatake’s type, there were so many like him in this Division she almost crinkled her nose in disgust at the thought of having to deal with another haughty man who thought too highly of himself.

“Perhaps better than those too timid to even look me in the eyes.”

Something else occurred to her, just as she could hear his footfalls echo down the hallway. He had not been around during the Clarion Call, or had he? Hatake knew neither about her being a Vaizard, nor about the transfer, or did he?

Patiently Nagisa waited for the knock and willfully opened her Reiatsu up a little to let the soft white aura flow. After all the hiding and fighting it had become second nature for the Chinda to erase her existence so thoroughly that it was unsettling for some, and the last thing she needed was to put the poor man on edge. Counting slowly to four until she called him in the Chinda brushed a strand of jet black hair out of the scar that ran through her right eye and then, with her back still turned, she permitted entry.

“Hatake Tenso,” her voice was soft, free from the contempt one might hear from a superior officer, or the nervousness that could be expected given their difference in age and experience. “I am Vice-Captain Chinda, and I am sure you’re aware that you are here for a variety of reasons.” At last Nagisa turned around. For a moment she did naught but stare at the man through her mismatched eyes, seizing him up in silent appraisal. Then a slight smile played around her lips and she pointed towards the chair in front of her desk.

“How about you start by telling me where you have been?”


817/50=16
 

Nagisa purposefully kept her face free from any cues as she listened to Hatake’s story. It was an outlandish one, especially making friends with his would-be captor, and traitor to Soul Society. On the other hand, people would sooner or later start calling her one too, without ever having defected. What little color had been left in the Chinda’s lips disappeared as she pressed them tightly together in what had become a family trademark. She could sense his nervousness, a sensation that became even more pronounced as he ran his hand through his hair.

“You have incredibly interesting notions what constitutes loyalty if being captured by a traitor before joining him and then failing to turn him in counts towards your definition,” Nagisa began, her eyes growing hard and cold, not unlike those of Kiriko. “There is no shame in being wounded, mind you, nor in accepting help. However, the fact that you failed to report in, even after your recovery, led not only to you being marked MIA but left a blemish on your military record that’s only outdone by what you’ve just told me.”

Nagisa almost grid her teeth as cold anger settled in her stomach. How could she possibly leave this Division when it meant passing leadership to someone who had no idea of the concept of responsibility?

“And what’s more, despite all of that, despite failing in your duty and your mission you have the gall to nonchalantly saunter into my officer and announce that you would like to return to your office. If this is a joke, Hatake, then I am not laughing.” Nagisa leaned slightly against her desk and crossed her arms before her chest. Then, in a gesture that was eerily reminiscent of Captain Aizawa, she quoted the man. “I need more than fighters. I need soldiers.” The Chinda looked him over, bells and all. Unspoken words stood in the air: You are less than that. You are a clown.

Something began to bloom inside the depth of her soul, a soft fire that began to thaw the ice – Miko as she took her turn to balance Katsumi. Suddenly aware of the harshness of her words Nagisa felt somewhat guilty. Her features softened somewhat.

“Make a report about Admaud and hand it to me personally. Then we will decide that issue.”

Moving from her position Nagisa tried to leave the bad feelings behind and took a few steps to arrive at the artfully crafted globe that Jasper had left in his old office. Tracing her fingers over the polished wood the Chinda debated her next steps. Being the youngest to do this and the first in a century to achieve that was all fun and games until the responsibility of those powers and achievements caught up with one. O what she would give for a century, even just a decade, of experience in dealing with these things.

“Fifth is like family,” she said eventually into the stillness of the room without ever looking at him. “And blood is thicker than water. Welcome home, Hatake.”

Suddenly she began to walk towards him, no, past him.

“Come.”

With measured steps but a swift pace the Chinda traversed the wooden corridor that held far too many paintings for her taste. Arriving in the courtyard Nagisa was almost pleased to see that they were alone, save for Haruna and her assistant, the paperwork patrol of the Fifth.

“The Third Seat is indeed free, Hatake, but I am not willing to give it to you. Not like this.”

Slowly Nagisa turned around. Her Reiatsu had disappeared without a trace, and although she held her hands loosely at her side, the determination in her eyes left little room to guess what would come next.

“The Third Seat belongs to the Swordmaster, and I will settle for nothing less,” a crooked smile played over thin lips. “If you want this, Hatake, then show me that you’ve got what it takes. Let’s see if the time away was worth it at least.”


672/50=13; 29
Ooc: Never feel bad to remind me if I haven’t posted in 5 days. I just forgot we have a thread in the Japan board instead of Seireitei.

Nagisa's face read blank throughout Hatake explanation without the smallest hint of anger or confusion and that was a good thing right? No. It wasn't. The second the Lieutenant spoke Hatake knew this was going to get difficult though how much so only time would tell. The mention at a blemish of Hatake's almost perfect Military record tore at his insides with rage and he almost interjected before Nagisa continued. Fail? Sure Hatake had failed in his mission but so did every Captain, every Lieutenant, everyone involved in the invasion had fallen and most of them had 3 times the strength as him. Didn't it matter that he almost gave up his life for the mission?

Her voice and face seemed to soften as she motioned Hatake to follow her out of the office as she continued talking. Finally the both of them appeared to reach their destination which was the courtyard, surprisingly it was fairly empty besides Nagisa's assistant and a few bustling Shinigami. Her next sentence sent a wave of fear and excitement through Hatake's entire body "The Third Seat belongs to the Sword master, and I will settle for nothing less." The rest of her words blurred in and out of his hearing except for "show me you've got what it takes" A part of him expected this meeting to turn into a scuffle since that was always how the Fifth operated and that was why this was his home. As she finished speaking her Reiatsu seemed to vanish in thin air, there was no trace of it anywhere yet she was standing right in front of him. There has only been a handful of fights that the opponent was exceptional at hiding their Reiatsu and everyone of them he had almost lost his life. That shouldn't be the case here today but that didn't mean this wouldn't be dangerous.

His mouth was dry with anticipation, Hatake was old enough to know that this women standing before him was at least twice as strong as him but he could also tell she was much younger than Hatake. Experience always matters and maybe he could use her inexperience to his advantage. Hatake met Nagisa's eyes with a burning desire to clash blades, not to harm her but to prove her words wrong. He ruffled through his crimson hair out of nervous habit again before speaking

" I hope you read my file Lieutenant. I am the Solider this Division needs, what you need." Hatake's eyes darkened with sadness and anger for a moment before he recollected himself

" Admaud is dead. Killed by my own blade. Regardless of him nursing me back to health I am and always will be a loyal Soldier of the Fifth. If I have to prove that to you then so be it." As he finished speaking he lurched Kenko free from his sheath with a loud scrapping noise and gave it a few experienced swings in the air before letting the blade rest on his back.

" I assume that was an invitation to attack you ma'am and I will be taking it. On one condition, don't kill me." Hatake said with a chuckle. Words were one thing but how was he actually going to prove anything to her? Could he even land a blow on Nagisa? It was very doubtful but he had to try right? He wanted, no needed this position and he would fight for it but would he put his life on the line for it? Of course he would. This was his home, and it appeared Nagisa actually felt the same way so it was safe to say she would fight just as hard for her home. There was no room for weaklings and it was her job to weed them out.

Hatake pushed his Reiatsu out as far as he could, the air became dense and hot. The ground underneath Hatake cracked slightly as if he weighed to much for it to bare. His long crimson hair floated upward from his Spirit Pressure as he locked eyes with Nagisa

"Haya" Suddenly his Reiatsu spiked even more, the ground now shattering underneath him. Even with Haya activated it was very unlikely he could even land a blow on the Lieutenant but this was the best option.

" I believe you can see into ones soul with just a touch of blades. Do you think that is true Lieutenant Chinda? Here I come." Hatake said clearly. Backing up a couple steps he brought up Kenko and aimed it directly at Nagisa's chest though she was far out of his reach...or was she?

"Extend Kenko!" Hatake quickly released his Shikai sending the long dark blade flying towards Nagisa's chest. Hatake hated his Shikai but it came in handy for dealing with multiple targets allowing him to extend his blade at will, but its not limited to just a straight line.  He honestly didn't know if she would give him his seat back but she would have to break both his legs and arms to make him stop trying. That Third Seat was his regardless if she knew it yet or not.

"Long Live The Fifth"  Hatake thought to himself.

Word Count :  868
GP : 17
Total GP : 123

“If that is true or not has yet to be determined,” Nagisa replied coolly. Hatake was older than her, but so were most Shinigami. She sincerely hoped he wouldn’t make the mistake of equaling youth with inexperience. Otherwise his dreams of claiming Third Seat would be rather short lived. Mentally the Chinda noted the supposed death of Tenso’s savior. She would still have that report and request someone from the Second to follow up. Trust was good, but control better. Besides, trust had to be earned.

A dry chuckle escaped the Chinda’s throat.

“I am not making any promises, besides,” she smiled sweetly at him. “I am not sure you’re in the position to make conditions here, Hatake.”

Watching him urge his Reiatsu to surge and hair stand up whilst bellowing lines most would have been embarrassed to share with the world Nagisa almost admired his confidence. Or pitied how alien he must seem to society. He acted like the people in the picture books she had used when she had started to learn how to read, and for a moment Nagisa compared. She too had been, or still was, labeled as weird, as odd and unfitting. However, she had done her best to adapt, make friends, and find a way to fit in. Perhaps Hatake had never done that?

Shaking her head softly the Chinda brought herself back to the now. Hatake might move infinitely slow to her, but this was a duel for his future with his convictions on the line. And she would respect that.

Tenso’s sword extended, uncoiled perhaps even like a snake that had awoken from slumber, and even though he was still far away from her there was no doubt in Nagisa that this sword would hit her straight in the center. Or would have. A soft swishing sound was the only thing that accompanied her departure. Faster than the eye could see the Chinda danced to her right, raced past the blade and had to resist the childish urge to tap against the silver snake she was so hopelessly outpacing.

Nagisa came to a halt behind the man. Was this the moment when the superior spoke words of encouragement, or became abrasive? She reached out and gripped Hatake’s shoulder, squeezing tightly.

“I don’t know what I was expecting, but certainly more than this,” there was no anger in Nagisa’s voice, instead it was heavy with disappointment. “If this is all you got, then sit down, son.”

She gave him a push.

“With a weapon like that you got to start with small increments. Vary the length of your blade. Judging by where you started I’d say your sword reaches at least eleven meters. You knew you had no chance of hitting me. Why would you give me this kind of information though? Be more deceptive! Shoot it out at an angle, maybe even start out with a tantou size to make people misjudge you.”

Nagisa resisted the urge to shake her had, but lamented the absence of Fujimura nonetheless.

“Get on with it, Hatake. But if you insult me again like this, then I will cut you.”


524/50=10; 39