Tuesday came and Tsukiro got up early to rush through his work before going to meet Ukitake. He took his time getting there, even stopping to sit on the wall near the restaurant to wait and watch Kairo go past, Kiyone clinging to his arm tightly. Kairo caught sight of him. He looked surprised at first, then signed to him in their own secret sign language they created when they were kids (well, Tsukiro created it then taught Kairo): “I hate it when you do that! What are you?! Psychic?!”
“Have fun,” Tsukiro signed back, smiling.
After Kairo and Kiyone disappeared into the restaurant, he got up and made his way to the river side to wait for the captain. However, when he got there--even though it was still fairly early--the white-haired captain was already
there waiting for him.
Tsukiro walked up to the captain, stopping at his side. "Captain Ukitake..."
Juushiro sliently tossed a few more bites of his roll to the ducks below him. The water played with early sunlight in the ripples, a pleasant sight for his worried mind. When he spoke, his gentle voice held a hint of melancholy that he couldn't hold back.
"Are you sure that this is what you want, Tsukiro? It's not easy to go back if you decide to back out later."
Tsukiro stared at the ducks fighting for the bread pieces. "I know," he stated, voice still low, "I'm not just doing this for Captain Hitsugaya's reputation. I have personal reasons why I'm doing this."
He turned back to the captain. "What exactly is this?"
Juushiro threw the last piece further away and turned to face Tsukiro. "This is me trying to prevent another tragedy," he replied honestly, "and offering a helping hand as well as a shield in what can come to pass."
Tsukiro blinked. "I'm... not sure I understand."
Juushiro slid his hands into the wide sleeves of his kimono as he elaborated. "Many people have searched for the truth alone or have a need to fix things no matter what the cost to themselves- "He started and coughed lightly, looking at his hand and chuckling. "If more would have asked for help or someone noticed sooner and gave it, whether it was wanted or not," he sighed, "I would know of less tragedies in the past centuries."
The captain reached into kimono, pulling out small bottle of green cough syrup. Unscrewing the bottle, he poured a bit into a small cap attached to it and drank it, releasing another sigh.
"You, unlike others before you, don't have the rank to refuse my help, and the protection of my powers. I want to help better prepare you for what your journey for knowledge may lead to, either for personal reasons or for Soul Society."
Tsukiro just couldn't seem to wrap his head around Ukitake's words, which was unusual for him. He didn't say this though. He merely went along with what the captain was telling him. Clearly, he had stumbled onto something bigger than himself.
Tsukiro nodded slowly, "Hai, sir. How is it you wish to prepare me for what lies ahead?"
