Hot-spring [Inv]

Within a few short moments, Ryuusuke, who was day-dreaming, had been brought to the attention of his arriving guest.

"Hello, Ryuusuke-san!"

Not quite aware of the doors opening, merely noticing the familiar voice from behind him, Ryuusuke turned to look and make his own greeting. However, when he turned to see her coming next to him, the sight had literally taken words out of his mouth, which seemed to still move as if he wanted to speak. That was until he bit down on his bottom lip in penance of what he felt was his own awkwardness, even if it was short-lived. Ryuusuke wasn't exactly fluent with the beauty of the human female body, but Shizuku's own seemed to put them to shame.

Freeing his bottom lip of the softly clenched teeth, Ryuusuke spoke by the time she was next to him, eyes drifting towards her, trying his bet not to stare anywhere but her eyes. It was hard though, as her body was every portion of the word exotic, invoking his masculinity from the first second he saw her, and likely to the last.

Pouring his third cup and this time sipping at it for something to distract him moments at a time, Ryuusuke would hope to stop there with his drinking, otherwise he would start to become unaccountable for himself, and his actions. That, and he didn't want to get that drunk in front of Shizuku. She was likely sober, and the red on her face was probably more a blush than anything. She may even despise those who drink. Everyone was different; especially Tomitsuka Shizuku.

" Good evening, Shizuku-chan. "

Looking at her in the water, it brought out something different about her, or at least something Ryuusuke hadn't seen yet. She was able to live anywhere, but in the water she just seemed to be so at place. That, or Ryuusuke's own bias mind just put 1-and-1 together. She was a mermaid, after all. But in all truths, she was more than just a mermaid.

" How have you been, since our last meet? Good, I hope. "

Simply put, it was hard to stay on subject. As he continued to drink small bits of his sake, the good feeling that swept over him was also a bit of a hindrance. Once a man got drunk, meaning really drunk, he was almost always more truthful and straight-forward with his intentions and desires, and may become aggressive when it came to attaining them. Sitting together, alone, nude, with a beautiful girl like Shizuku blushing beside him like this had his nerves writhing in excitement. You could almost tell by his bodies tension that there was some sort of frustration within, but his facial expression portrayed that he was ecstatic to have her company.

Finally the ice was broken by the two of them, and silence wouldn't consume their evening and leave Ryuusuke longing for something else. She acknowledged his wounds, which were acquired during his duties as a Taichou in charge of the Hachibantai; a general line of defense for all of Seireitei. Tough didn't quite describe what had happened well enough. Ryuusuke had somehow managed to escape being slaughtered like an animal. Why he was allowed to let live, he did not know. But that is why he used this time to meet with Shizuku. His time was appearing to grow short, and so he didn't want to have any regrets when his time ceased.

" Oh right, my back. Don't worry about it, it is rather big isn't it? I was born in the year of the dragon, and my father felt my birth was a sign. A gift. So early on I was forced to be marked with my sign, and over the years it has been touched up to maintain pristine condition. "

A soft chuckle breached Ryuusuke's lips, knowing all too well he probably wouldn't live to be very old, his offer genuinely sarcastic in nature regardless. Life expectancy as a Shinigami was always slim, even for the strong ones. All means of life was finite. Temporary. Allowing himself to finish sipping his third cup, he poured himself one more before offering sake to Shizuku in her own cup.

" Yeah my arm...lots of things have been going on as of late. Lots of bad things... "

Downing his cup of sake, Ryuusuke, who had been staring towards Shizuku during their conversation, now looked down at the water before him, his reflection appearing before him. He almost looked sad now, miserable even. His body and facial expression were both in bad shape, and now his intoxicated state made him very unpredictable.

" Shizuku, tell me something. If you had one thing you wanted, above all else, and you didn't know how long you had to chase that goal, that dream of yours...how long would you wait before you reach out for it? "

His eyes drifted over to meet Shizuku's own, his skewered expression of happiness and sadness likely bringing her great confusion. But she wouldn't be the only one.

Ryuusuke was both enlightened and discouraged by Shizuku's face-- more-over what she had said. This change in her life was unwanted, possibly despised. And calligraphy was what she cared, about most of all? His lower lip tensed in a depressing manner, eyes straying to the water before him before he made his reply.

He felt guilty, because this is all he knew of Shizuku. To him, there wasn't another picture, or form to be imagined-- Nothing to miss. But her expression and words pulled chords within Ryuusuke their own, without knowing what exactly it was she had lost. She probably would have wanted her normal body back, more-so than she wanted calligraphy in her life. At least Ryuusuke liked to think so.

" Horrid things always seem to happen to those most undeserving of them. I just wish you knew who did this to you. I'd like to have a nice chat with them. "

Looking to Shizuku, it was obvious he was sympathetic to what had happened to her. They changed who Tomitsuka Shizuku really was-- Forever. But Ryuusuke found it hard to think what the 12th Division had done, couldn't be undone. Perhaps it was because he truly wanted to believe there was at least a chance for her to return to who she was?

" But I am glad you didn't really die. Very glad. "

After she had poured her own, Ryuusuke impulsively poured more for himself, noticing that they were almost halfway through the bottle. The dizzy, unbalanced feeling he had, added with needing to balance himself in the water, made him seem very sloppy in movement. Laying his back and head against the pool's retaining edge, he did his best to relax, trying not to anger himself with what he would do if he had known the soul responsible for Shizuku's transformation.

Even if she didn't didn't like it herself, Ryuusuke seemed keen on seeing her from time to time, her presence bringing him a soothing peace of mind. He didn't have too many friends within the walls of Seireitei-- He had a lot more comrades. While he could trust them with orders, he didn't confide in them his secrets or aspirations. What he wanted had nothing to do with being a Taichou of the Goteijuusantai. Not really.

" As for making sure it's what I want...do we ever really know what we want? I don't think of it to be like a fact. What we want is subject to change. Awhile ago, all I wanted was to make my father proud of me. Now that he isn't here, I can't accomplish that. So I have to look inside, and see what kind of future I want to mold for myself.

Calligraphy is nice and all...but I don't think that's enough to be the sole reason you wake up everyday. I like being the Hachibantai Taichou, but even now that isn't something that excites me much, if at all. I like meeting with you a lot more than I do the other Taichou.

You could almost say your presence heals me, and their's leaves faint scars. That's why I always send you these...weird invitations, I guess I will call them. I just don't really want to be around the others. I feel like in their presence, all I am doing is being judged. "

Flurries whirled in his chest with the blood that forced itself throughout his veins, almost like he had butterflies flapping inside him. She agreed with Ryuusuke, and what she had mentioned, or rather inquired about after-wards was maintaining the sensation Ryuusuke felt inside himself. His free hand, which had let go of any cup or sake bottle, guided itself towards Shizuku who had leaned in towards him. His hand rested upon her head in a gesture implying it was her that he was reaching out for.

" Someone...like you, Shizuku... "

His eyes drifted over to meet her own, a smile painted on his lips. Fortunately the liquor made this moment easier on his conscious, making him feel more than comfortable saying this in front of Shizuku. In the back of his head, Ryuusuke knew this may very well make Shizuku push away from him, but he didn't care. At least the truth would be revealed.

" I want people around me that make my life worth living. I don't need money, possessions-- Obsessions. I need someone I can confide my own life-- My own soul in. It's been a lot harder to find this for myself than I thought...for awhile there, at least... "

He had hoped she understood what he meant, but even if nothing good came of her response to his words, it was simply truth being told. As long as he got to say it, then he wouldn't really be able to have any regret bearing down on his own shoulders. Even if Shizuku didn't share this interest or care for such things, he could go home knowing he at least got something off his chest.

She nudged herself closer, her face right before his as their faces practically touched, foreheads connecting to one another. Her words flew past him, making him feel all the better for saying what he had. But within a short moment, she moved back and noted that they should leave the pool. Ryuusuke had wanted to stay, for this moment to last a little longer. But he wouldn't deny Shizuku of anything.

" We certainly don't want that. Yeah, let's get out. My skin is starting to get spongy. "

Using his single arm to prop himself up out of the water, Ryuusuke's lower body was still wrapped in his towel-- Which was now very wet. Moving over to his robes, he dressed himself in his comfortable linens after removing the towel, which had dried him off themselves. He could have them cleaned at any time-- Even replaced, so it mattered little that he got them wet. It took him a moment, struggling to get the right body parts through the correct sleeves, being bandaged and drunk managing to bring him some difficulty. Once he was done, though, he looked over to Shizuku, mentioning something about how she had stripped down in front of him.

" I was surprised you undressed before me, actually. Although now I really know you have nothing to hide. Well, except beauty. "

Ryuusuke smiled at her, glad to be able to have a person like her around to relieve his conscious. She had mentioned him to be a friend, though, which was something that put him at a distance. He could't blame her for that, though. Nor did he want to, but he couldn't help himself from wanting. Perhaps it was just time that was needed. She wasn't born today, and her trust in others was further dampened by the actions of the 12th Division-- What they did to her.

Patience often prospered.

Staring wayward towards Shizuku with a joyous expression, it was apparent their feelings seemed to be mutual, giving Ryuusuke a great deal of hope for the days to come. Not only that, but he would have a gift to be looking forward to, not to mention what she was rubbing her towel against.

" Hmm...it's hard to say...how about 'A ghost resides here' in Japanese? I'm sure it will compliment my quarters very well-- As of now there is just bare white walls, the door, and a table were I play Shogi. By all means it is a Ghost town now, even in the barracks. My Fuku-Taichou has been reported M.I.A. "

Retrieving his bottle of sake and slipping it into his robes, Ryuusuke stood before Shizuku with eyes that portrayed fulfillment.

" So your company will be very much appreciated, and I look forward to it. "

Standing there with a smile, Ryuusuke wasn't sure whether to leave, or what. He was the type of person to be confused in this situation, being inexperienced in lots of things besides combat and training. He wasn't sure how much time had passed, but he would assuredly pass out if he went home and committed to laying down for more than five minutes.