Lazy days (Completed)

[kotei]

Spring had just begun in the Seritei as the birds chirped and the many trees and plants began to bloom into a explosion of colors. The bright colors clashed greatly against the green grass and the white walls of the many barracks and halls in the Seritei. All was calm and peaceful in the Seritei.

Kotei the captain of squad 8 would be walking around the Seritei saying hi to all the personnel of the other squads. He'd be wearing his normal garb that being his haori, Shihakshou, and zanpaktou. His hair would be as it usually was swept back and wavy with a few pieces sticking out. Even though he'd been captain for a long time he still felt as though he should try to make sure everyone knew that he was a good person and wanted to keep things as same as when Kyoraku left.

Kotei enjoyed this time of year. He loved how it was warm but not to hot and how that the tree's were full of leaves making it perfect to lay under. One of the things he very much liked about this time was the fragrance that wafted around the Seritei. It was as if someone had compiled every flower imaginable into a bottle and sprayed it around the entire Soul Society.

Kotei finished saying hi to everyone and decided to just walk around and see who or what he could see. He had no real intention of meeting anyone but if someone came by he'd be sure to give them a friendly hello and ask how they were doing. Kotei had been called by many of the Soul Society a people's person. He'd never believed it much but apparently everyone else did and he just decided to go along with it considering there wasn't much harm in it.

[Enjiiro Senboukun]

Tsukonin walked towards the sparring grounds with a few members from squad 7, chatting with them about the day's training routine along the way. He was wearing his usual Shihakusho with a hood fitted to the back, His Captain's Haori over his Shihakusho, and his Zanpakutou at the right side of his waist. Keppaku was sitting on his right shoulder as usual.

As he walked along he noticed how the trees and plants had started to bloom, how the birds chirped, and how magnificent the colors looked clashing against the many buildings in the Seireitei. He then thought to himself what a pain it is to have to go and have sparring practice on such a beautiful day, and how he would much rather stay at home and lay around outside in his hammock.

Unfortunately however some of the members of squad 7 were hoping to get some one on one sparring time with Tsuko and as things were he was greatly outnumbered. Therefore majority triumped again and there they were heading towards the sparring grounds.

When they were nearly at their destination, Tsukonin spotted the Captain of Squad 8, but decided not to say anything as he was on a mission to get to the sparring grounds, finish as quickly as possible, and go back home so that he could rest. However Keppaku had different plans as she then suddenly jumped from Tsuko's shoulder and ran over to Kotei, at the sight of a familiar face, in hopes of getting his attention before he had walked away.

[Katagami Sairou]

Sairou was sitting in his office, peacefully reading his book. It was a nice day outside, but he preferred to read away from the hustle and bustle of Soul Society. And on a day like this, there were bound to be a lot of Shinigami out. He could even hear them from outside. There was a large group of Shinigami passing by, and they were pulling his attention away from his book.

He calmly closed his book, leaving a piece of paper in it as a bookmark. He walked to the window to see who all was outside, and noticed a crowd of Squad Seven members heading toward the training grounds. It was a much nicer day than what he had noticed earlier. He hadn't been outside all day, so he began wondering if he should head out soon. After all, he did still have paperwork to fill out and deliver.

He reluctantly opened the door outside, and as the sunlight fell on his face, he closed his eyes slightly until they adjusted. He watched as Squad Seven passed by, nodding to those who waved to him. He looked in the direction they were headed and noticed Squad Eight's captain not too far ahead of them. He had to head in that direction, but with all the people headed that way, he decided to wait awhile before heading out.

[kotei]

Kotei had seen the large group of fellow shinigami's and then saw Tsuko. Considering Tsuko was with a group and looked busy he'd decided not to bother him. Kotei enjoyed talking to people but not to the point that it meant hindering anothers progress.

Kotei noticed that they seemed to be heading in the direction of the sparring grounds and began to walk back the way he came hoping to sneak around and set in a tree to watch and see how Tsuko fought and how he taught his subordinates. Kotei hadn't ever seen Tsuko train much but mainly only spoke to him about trivial things like work or squad members.

As Kotei began to take a step to walk away he'd feel a tug on the frayed end of his haori. Kotei like to keep the back of his haori long so that it got a frayed look, he found it to be very nice look same as the sleeves were. He'd turn to look and saw a small cat. Kotei would raise his eyebrow as he'd wonder for a second as to who's cat it was, but after a moment longer of studying it he was hit with inspiration and remembered it was Tsuko's.

Kotei would reach down and pick up the small cat and begin petting it. "Hey there little one. Aren't you pretty." His mind would race with a name as after a few seconds he'd get it. "Hey Keppaku." He'd run his hand down the length of the cat's fluffy coat.

Kotei would look up at Tsuko and laugh a little before saying loudly. "Oi! Tsuko! Lookie what I got!." He'd flip Keppaku over and begin holding her like a baby kind of smiling at how the white belly faced directly up at him. He'd pet her as he walked over to return her to her rightful owner.

On Kotei's walk to return Keppaku he'd notice out the corner of his eye a white Haori. Kotei would focus his vision a slight bit more and noticed Sairou. Kotei decided not to bother him considering he seemed busy, not to mention he'd never known Sairou to be much a conversationalist.

[Enjiiro Senboukun]

Tsuko had noticed when Keppaku jumped down as he felt her when she pushed off of his shoulder. He watched her as she ran across to the other side of the road wondering why she chose now of all times to goof off. He also wondered what she was going to see, until he looked up and saw Kotei.

Tsuko never really talked that much, with the exception of Kotei that is. When he saw Kotei he would usually make more of an effort to start a conversation unless he was really in a hurry. He thought about leaving Keppaku behind and picking her up after sparring practice but decided against that due to him not wanting to worry about Keppaku the whole time. He began walking over to Kotei to get Keppaku back.

As he walked over to Kotei he smiled to himself at how mischievous Keppaku was for straying off somewhere without warning and how cute she looked being held like a baby. When he walked up to Kotei he said "Hello Captain Suitentei, sorry for the sudden interruption. I hope she didn't cause you any trouble." He reached out to offer to take Keppaku back. "Say come to think of it I've been meaning to talk to you about possibly coming along to one of my sparring practices and giving my guys some pointers." He then remembered that Kotei might be doing something today and realised his sudden rude request. "Errr, that is if you're not busy today. I apologise for such a sudden request, but as things are we are heading towards the sparring grounds now if you would like to join us."

[Akiyamasan]

Stepping out of the barracks, Hitomi looks towards the sun again and smiles. She notes to herself that the sun was still hot, and the day would be a pain without shade. Not letting a little heat deter her, she walks out in the direction of the training grounds anyways. On her way there, she spots a few of her squad members lounging about, who she waves at.

Ah, you've finished your duties early today. Good work soldiers! Have fun with the rest of your day, it's a nice one for now.

With a smile, Hitomi continues on her way.

[kotei]

Kotei would smile as he petted Keppaku, she felt so soft to the touch especially her belly. He'd held Keppaku many times before and she always seemed to feel softer to the touch every time. He'd had so many chances to hold her by being around Tsukonin. After a few minutes of holding her like a baby he'd move her belly onto his shoulder and pet her.

As Kotei looked up from Keppaku he'd see Tsuko walking over he'd smile at him as he'd feel Keppaku playing with his hair. As he'd hear Tsuko speak his last name and captain in front of it he'd laugh a little and smile. "Oh Tsuko you don't have to use honorifics or call me by my last name for that matter." He'd smile as he'd hold Keppaku straight up in front him and she'd make a sort of smile and meow happily. Kotei smiled and meowed back as he'd set her in Tsuko's hands.

As he'd then hear Kotei's offer of training he'd sigh and stretch a little. "Well I haven't trained in a while and I am starting to feel a little stiff, sooo I'll take you up on your offer." He'd smile at thinking of him being able to help a fellow captain, let alone a good friend. He'd think of getting some of his men to join but changed his mind.

Kotei would be metally ready for training as he'd hear Tsuko state something about being busy and he'd laugh again as he'd lean to Tsuko and say in his ear. "I had papers but we'll just say they got conveniently misplaced." He'd interlock his fingers and place his palms on the back of his head as he'd begin walking for the grounds kicking the ground slightly as he moved. "It's a nice day. Eh, Tsuko?"

[Enjiiro Senboukun]

Tsuko took Keppaku and set her on his right shoulder. Keppaku then turned around so that she was facing the same direction as Tsuko. At hearing Kotei remind him about not being so formal he said "yeh, yeh i know you tell me everytime we start talking but It's force of habit Captain Sui.......I mean......umm what was your first name again?" Tsuko paused for a split second to let what he had just said sink in, but then immediantly continued so as to not give Kotei enough time to respond. "Nah, I'm just messin' with you Kotei, and don't worry I'll try to remember about not being so formal next time."

After Tsuko had heard Kotei accept his offer to come and train with Squad 7 he immediantly felt a wave of relief wash over him because he had been meaning to get up with Kotei for some time now and hang out. Tsuko would then hear Kotei say something about papers being conveniently misplaced and he would respond with a slight laugh and say "Good, I'm glad to hear that you can come with us today. I hope your Lieutenant is able to find those papers.

Tsuko would then continue walking towards the sparring grounds with the rest of his squad and Kotei. When asked about today being nice he would reply "Yeh it actually is pretty nice today, although I have to say it is getting pretty hot; could use some shade while we spar, eh?" With that Tsuko could begin to see the sparring grounds and he knew they would be there in the next few minutes.

[Akiyamasan]

With the sparring grounds in sight, Hitomi notices to figures approaching the area. Immediately recognizable by their haori, Hitomi recognizes them as captains. Captain Suitentei and Captain Shimasu respectively. It being customary of her position, Hitomi immediately goes toward them and offers her greetings.

Ah Lord Captains. What brings you to the sparring grounds this fine day?

As she says that, Hitomi gracefully bows in respect to her two superior officers.

Personally, I came here because I felt I was getting sloppy... But if two captains are here to train, I can watch and take note of how they handle things! It's excellent training for me. You don't mind, right?

She says this with a smile as she looks at her superior officers. Hoping that they'll accept her request to watch them train.

[kotei]

Kotei would see Keppaku clamber up Tsuko's shoulder and smile. "She thinks she's a monkey." He'd scratch Keppaku's ear a little before beginning to walk with Tsuko. Kotei would squint a little from the bright sun. He was a little used to the heat yet it still got to him at times.

As Kotei walked with Tsuko he would smile happy that he'd caught him today. He hadn't trained much lately and was looking forward to pitting his strength and wits against Tsuko again after so long. He enjoyed sparring with Tsuko more than sparring with any other captain, he enjoyed it so much because he found Tsuko to be a equal match on all fields.

When Kotei would hear Tsuko speak of the heat and how much he'd like to find some shade he'd laugh pretty loud and boisterously before saying. "Yea I bet you would like some shade you shadow demon." He'd look at Tsuko out the corner of his eye kind of saying 'I look forward to the fight'.

When Kotei would reach close to the sparring grounds and see a head of black hair coming his way. He'd raise his eyebrow a little confused as to who it was. When the person reached him he'd begin peacing together all the Liuetenant's names and trying to fit this girl's with a face. He'd finally get it just in time that he'd hear her speak. When he'd hear her say lord captain's he'd sigh. "Please Hitmoi be casual. Call me Kotei." He'd smile very kindly and friendly at her. He didn't care who you were he'd try to make a friend out of you.

When Kotei woud hear the young girl say something about watching the sparring. He'd grin and instantly say to the young Lieutenant. "I don't know about Tsuko but I'd love to have a beautiful face such as yours with us. Help break up the manlyness and give a sight for some sore eyes." He'd laugh and begin walking away his hands held behind his head with the fingers interlocked.

[Enjiiro Senboukun]

Once Keppaku had situated herself on Tsuko's shoulder he would continue to walk towards the sparring grounds with Kotei. He thought about how long it had been since he had sparred with Kotei and remembered how back-and-forth the fight had been. He smiled to himself about how good of a sparring partner he was going to have today as well as how much his guys were going to learn from watching this. He then realised that this was gonna turn into one of those all day things and that he might as well forget relaxing at home until tonight.

He then heard Kotei jokingly say something about him being a shadow demon, to which Tsuko responded "Ha, yeh I don't think the sun is gonna be nice today so I might have to find my own shade". Tsuko thought he saw a "I'm ready to fight" glance from Kotei and returned the gesture.

A couple more minutes of walking passed and they finally arrived at the sparring grounds. When they arrived Tsuko noticed Squad 3 Lieutenant Hitomi Akiyama standing in front of them. She greeted them with Lord Captains and bowed, to which Tsuko kindly returned, then added "Come now Hitomi, no need to be so formal; you can call me Tsuko if you wan't". With that Tsuko heard Kotei saying something about a beautiful face being a site for sore eyes, then laughing and walking away. After Kotei began walking away Tsuko turned to Hitomi and, in a joking manner, said "Heh, you're going to have to excuse him he's just rambling because he's nervous about the sparring match he's about to have" Tsuko said it loud enough to make sure Kotei could hear it and wore a smirk while he said it.

Tsuko then added "Hitomi you're more than welcome to observe us sparr if you would like". He then turned to face the group of Squad 7 members that had came along for sparring practice and motioned for them to gather around near the tree over by the side of the sparring area. "Hitomi, you can fall in with them if you don't mind or you can stand over to the other side, whichever you want to do". Tsuko added a smile to the end of his sentence and then followed Kotei toward the center of the sparring grounds to get ready for the upcoming match.

[Akiyamasan]

Hitomi, being a somewhat analytical kind of person recalls a few things she remembers about the fighting styles of these two captains. Kotei Suitentei the captain of squad 8, from Hitomi's understanding uses plenty of acid in his attacks, a tricky fighter who seems to be able to come up with all kinds of fantastic strategies on the fly during his battles. Tsûkônin Shimasu the captain of squad 7, the more mysterious looking one seems to use the shadows to his advantage. A warrior who is normally calm and trusting, but transforms on the battlefield to become a fierce fighting machine. After the thought, Hitomi remembers that she was in a conversation and responds accordingly.

"Oh, my apologies, I never meant to be so formal. Hehe, it's going to take a bit of getting used to, but I'll remember to call you each by Kotei and Tsuko from now on."

With Kotei's comment about her beautiful face, she blushes a little and giggles it off. She places her hand to her chin in a quizzical kind of look as she regains her composure, and responds in a joking manner.

"Haha, I don't really know about beautiful, but thanks for the compliment. But this face won't stay that way if I end up getting kicked around by a hollow some day."

With Tsuko's comment, Hitomi gives an easy-going smile and wonders to herself if this fighting match will end up extremely exciting. Given that the two fighting styles of these captains have been shown to be extremely compatible, and they have a reputation as one of the strongest tag-team in the Seireitei.

"As happy-go-lucky as Captain Suiten- I mean Kotei seems to be, I am surprised he's nervous at all. Well, thank you for allowing me to watch you two. I'll stand on the opposite side of your squad members. I think I'll get a better view this way."

A small gust is heard as Hitomi disappears and reappears at a spot on the sparring grounds. She smiles and eagerly awaits the coming battle. Ready to take notes in hopes of bettering herself.

(I never get to watch my own captain practice his techniques, so watching other captains has to be good..)

[kotei]

Kotei would laugh some at Tsuko as he spoke about the shade. He'd look around at the tree's and see there was a fair amout of shade around. He'd sigh and think of how Tsuko's powers stemmed from shadow's and the like. He'd shrug though thinking about how the fight probably would'nt lead past suppressed.

Kotei would laugh as he continued walking, getting a few feet before taking a hand off the back of his head and waving it at the words Tsuko had spoken. "Yea, yea. I'm about as nervous as you are a wish granting genie." He'd not be nervous of the fight but more a feeling of anticipation ran over him. He wanted to see if Tsuko was still where he was from there previous fight. Kotei wanted to test Tsuko and see just how far he could push him, Kotei also wanted to see how much Tsuko could push back.

Kotei would walk out to the center of the sparring grounds and turn to face Tsuko. He'd look around at the spectator's kind of laughing inside at how many cheerleaders his fellow captain had and how many he didn't have. He'd then look over at Hitomi and wink with a small grin, only showing a slight bit of his white teeth. He'd quickly look back to Tsuko as he'd come walking to the center also, Kotei was ready and waiting.

Kotei would place his wrist up on his katana's hilt and look ahead to Tsuko. "Well Tsuko, here we are. Are you ready for a sparring match to best all the previous one's?" Kotei would begin to let his reiatsu seep out, it had a green tint to it yet it was only faintly seen as he didn't want to let out to much and harm any of the nearby spectator's.

[Enjiiro Senboukun]

Thinking back at the numerous comments he had made about the shadows as they walked towards the sparring grounds, Tsuko suddenly had a small burst of exciment course through him, as he knew they were about to get started. It had been a while since Tsuko had sparred with someone as formidable of an opponent as Kotei was. He began to worry about how the fight might turn out if they were to go into Shikai (he wasn't even considering Bankai). Tsuko then decided not to worry about it anymore because he felt that Kotei wasn't going to push him that far or even go into Shikai himself for that matter. He also told himself that even though they were sparring, if the need came for him to release Shikai he would.

At hearing Kotei joke back about being nervous he would reply "Ha, well I guess you're not nervous then because if I could grant wishes, I'd be at home right now laying in my hammock."

Tsuko would walk out to the middle of the sparring grounds, and see Kotei turn to face him when he reached the center. Once Tsuko reached the center as well he started to focus his mind, his sight narrowing down to a very precise field of vision as he blocked out everything else that was not dealing with what stood before him in the sparring grounds. He didn't notice the people on the sidelines, the trees that surrounded him, or the fact that by this time the sun was beginning to set; and was casting shadows over the sparring grounds that were increasing in size rather quickly. (Tsuko usually wouldnt prepare himself to fight so quickly but seeing as how this isn't a real fight, but just a sparring match, he is bypassing the first thing he would usually do in a conflict).

Tsuko slid his arms into his Haori as Keppaku crawled underneath and poked her head back out. He then placed his left hand on his hilt and his right hand midway of his scabbard. After this was done he let out a small amount of reiatsu just as Kotei had done. He heard Tsuko mention this sparring match besting all those previous and replied by nodding quickly, as he wasn't much of a talker when psyched for battle.

[Akiyamasan]

Standing on the opposite side of the field from the members of Squad Seven, Hitomi surveys the condition of the area. She notices the slight increase of spiritual pressure the two combatants are releasing. It wasn't exactly oppressive to her, but she could sense their fighting spirit in their spiritual pressure. She steps forward and raises her arm into the air.

Okay! The rules of engagement are as such. The two combatants shall do battle until first blood, or the opponent surrenders! No killing! And no bankai! Combatants, are you ready!?

Hitomi notices Kotei put his wrist on the hilt of his katana, and Tsuko reveal his hand from underneath his haori. Obviously meaning the two combatants were ready for battle. In the back of her mind, she feels as if a familiar presence is lurking around, but Hitomi doesn't exactly take any notice or heed of it. She takes one last look at the faces of the two captains.

Okay! Begin the match!

With a flourish of her hand, Hitomi leaps back to a safer distance not wanting to get in the way of two captains going at it and watches the match, eager to learn from the fighting styles of these two captains.