15 Chapter 15: Another Day Another Patrol
"I tell ya. There's nothing like home like the Rukon districts!" Kaien says looking around. After our day off we set off on patrol with Kaien.
Matsuri looks over to him. "You lived here for a long time, didn't you?"
"Yeah. Sometimes it's too calm and stuffy in the Seireitei for me. Anyway, I'll be at the street stalls if you need me. See you later!" He says dashing off.
"At least it's a peaceful district." I say looking at his retreating back.
Heading off in the direction of noise we encounter the liveliest area.
"It smells like alcohol around here." Matsuri says moving a hand to her nose.
'I wonder what sake tastes like here…' I think looking at the stalls.
A whistling sound enters our ears as a man calls out to Matsuri from inside a building. "Hey there, pretty little Shinigami."
"Huh?" Matsuri starts to look around.
"You there! The cute little Shinigami with the blond hair!" The man calls out.
"Oh my. Somebody is calling me?" I look around looking for the catcalling man. She the shadowy outline of a straw hat on his I let out a sigh. 'This guy huh?'
"What, those drunken catcalls? You shouldn't pay attention to those!" Matsuri says protecting me from the pervert.
'Matsuri I think he's trying to call you though.'
"You there! The capable-looking, refined, intelligent-looking young Shinigami lady!" The man continues.
"Are you talking to me!?" Matsuri says with a giant smile on her face from the compliment.
'…do I not compliment her enough? I can't let her fall that easily to catcalls!' My older brother instincts flaring up.
"Such a striking young lady. I saw you and I just HAD to talk to you." The drunk Shinigami says.
Matsuri looks over his attire and recognizes him as a Shinigami. "Excuse me, but aren't you a Shinigami yourself?"
"I won't deny it." Shunsui says as he walks outside.
"Uh, shouldn't you be working?" Matsuri turning to look around for his patrol members.
"I'm just taking a short rest. A little breather, if you will." The man continues.
"But you're plastered! Aren't you going to get in trouble if they find out?!" Matsuri says upset about his lack of respect for being a Shinigami.
I take a step forward, looking at the captain and back to my sister. "It'll be fine if they do find out anyway. Nice to see you again Captain Shunsui." I say with a smile as I ruffle my sister's hair.
"Ca-captain?" Matsuri freezes and looks to me.
"Just when I was having fun too… Yo-" Shunsui starts but is cut off by a young boy.
"Hollows! Hollows!" The boy yells as he runs past us.
"Let's go Matsuri!" I say as I run towards the hollows' direction.
"Ah, but my drink…" Shunsui says from his seated position.
--
"There they are!" Matsuri says from the rooftop. Looking down spotting two souls encircled by the hollows. A fair distance away from them. 'We'll make it in time to save them.' My eyes turning to count the hollows.
Shunsui appears near the souls and says "You interrupted me just when things were about to get good. Now I'm really mad."
Matsuri whispers to me. "He's stumbling a bit. Is he going to be fine?"
"I'm pretty sure that the captain fights better drunk." Shrugging my shoulders and turning back to the seven shrieker hollows.
Taking a step forward I cut down the closest hollow and proceed to the next. Matsuri activating her Shikai "Mow 'em down, Kotomaru!" A two-handed Guandao appearing her hands. Stepping closer to two hollows closer together she twirls the guandao above her compressing spiritual energy within it. Swinging it at the two hollows causes them to be engulfed in a blue pillar of energy. "Koto Enbu!"
'Now that's pretty cool.' I think looking over to the explosion. 'I suppose I should show off a little.' Grabbing a hold of White's hilt, I rush into two hollows. "Flash!" My speed tripling as I dash between the two hollows instantly shattering their masks catching them unaware. Taking advantage of my speed I dash towards the last and pierce its mask ending it quickly.
Shunsui puts the hollow closest to him out of its misery as he turns to me seeing me teleport from the two dead hollows to the last in an instant. 'He's faster than Suzunami!' Shocked at the revelation that the boy could rival the second-fastest captain.
--
We return to the alcohol shop as Shunsui takes a seat and goes back to drinking.
"Ah, now I have to start drinking again…"
"You're not done drinking yet?!" Matsuri says with dead eyes.
"Let him have his drink, Matsuri. He worked pretty hard for it." I say with a smirk.
"Hey, where have you guys been?" Our third patrol member decides to show himself. Kaien walking over to the group looking towards Shunsui with recognition.
"Captain Kyoraku! What are you doing with the Kudo twins?" Kaien asks confused.
"He's busy drinking Kaien. Don't bother the captain right now." I say giving him a nod as we head off.
We start to explain the story.
--
"Hey, good for you, Matsuri! When ya got it, ya got it, huh, girl?!" Kaien carrying a bright smile on his face.
Matsuri's face blushes. "What are you talking about?! That was just Captain Kyoraku's booze talking!"
"So is Captain Kyoraku your typ-" Kaien gets cut off by an arm around the back of his neck.
"No." Is all I say with a smile on my face. "Not on my list of approved people."
"Um," Matsuri starts as she looks towards the two of us. "He can hear everything you're saying, you know."
"…" Shunsui standing there watching the exchange with a smile on his face. "What do you mean I'm not on your list of approved people?" He says looking to me.
"Wait you have a list of people you approve of getting together with me?" Matsuri says her blush turning up even more.
I nod. "Naturally. It's only appropriate I find the right suitors for my little sister. If they don't match the standard they're getting cut." Crossing my arms sagely.
She looks at me with fisheyes.
