The Bargain with Paradise

[Sato Koemi]

Both girls blushed a soft pink at the beauty of the flower, each taking the token respectively.

Nathifa held hers closely, petting it curiously, remaining silent in though. She blushed a little to herself as she stuck it into her hair, just above her ear and gave a childly little smile.

The lieutenant gave a grin to Nathifa and her precious act. Deep down, Tifa-chan was just a regular girl with a tough exterior to just protect herself and others she loved.

Saot placed it at her lips, inhaling the scent and smiled a little as her eyes closed slowly "It's very beautiful." Her eyes slowly reopened, a gentle and kind look sweeping across her eyes Thank you, Xeon-san."

The lieutenant looked to Nathifa and followed suit, pinning it behind her ear and smiling to herself. She had never felt so girly, but ah heck, why not? Even if just for a little bit, she wanted to not be so tough and she didn't feel like a lieutenant. Her mind drifted back to her younger days of when she was a child, playing with her friends in the dirty streets of Spirit River.

The blonde lieutenant blinked a couple of times, returning back to now and blushed a little, as if she were embaressed.

[Xeon Hubaru]

”A flame of love…” Xeon had said with a smile as he let out a small laugh with lips pressed. ”That‘s what that flower stands for. People carry them around and give them to others to represent a burning passion for a love they think dearly of. Just how you both are doing now…” Xeon had said. He could read it upon their faces even though they were embarrassed. There was no major secret about it now that they had said it themselves.

”It‘s strange…” he had said with his gentle voice. ”I never witnessed a higher up feeling such affection. Not that it‘s any of my business.” he had noted trying to retain the proper respect for the authority of the seated vice captain.

[Sato Koemi]

The vice captain blushed and smiled sweetly, as if caught red-handed "Well.. even I'm a regular girl underneath all my authority."

Nathifa giggled a soft little sound, blushing still, "Her love is Ikkaku Madarame-san."

Shooting a look to Nathifa, as if scolding her, Sato couldn't help but grin at the sound of her beloved's name. She'd kill anyone in her path if they stood between her and her Ikkaku-kun.

"Well.. yeah.." she admitted rather cutely, as if she were denying it but not at the same time. The only thing that worried her about saying Ikkaku's name outloud was that she was slightly.. paranoid. She was afraid a traitor was among them, and would turn and run to tell the kaibutsu about it. Lucky for her.. Ikkaku wasn't in Paradise.. but then again, the kaibutsu could probably escape the way they had come in..

Sato cleared her throat to try and push the thoughts away, even if her worry surfaced through her deep, water-colored eyes. She gave Xeon a hug and smiled "Thank you for the flowers. I'll be sure to give it to my Pachinko-kun when we all return to Soul Society. And Tifa-chan to her human world."

Nathifa stuck her tongue out at Sato childishly "Don't say it like it's a bad thing. I know just as well as you that you visit the human world for Urahara-san."

Again, Sato shot a look to Nathifa, face a mixture of blushing and angry "He has Shihoin-sama.."

The Quincy leaned against the wall, hiding her smile, whispering to herself "Doesn't mean you still can't forget your first crush.."

[Xeon Hubaru]

”So I see…” Xeon had replied with his own embarrassed look. His cheeks flushed slightly red as he lowered his expression beyond his hand that was lifted. He felt happy for them of course, and people’s moments of bliss had brought the same kind of feeling to him. It was nice to get to know another one of the other divisions for once. He was always pretty closed, even from the human world to keep memories that were fading into oblivion where he belonged. Remembering a past life was too much for him.

He had sat down once again looking up to the two girls. Romance! Such a wonderful theme. It tempted him to reach for his Zanpaktou to unveil it’s strange sealed form, but he wasn’t one to showoff Rosemary. when the time came to use it, that would be the true beauty. The blade and it’s wielder pouring heart and soul to protect those dear to them both with an elegant movement and defensive form as well as the scent of roses strangely about to heighten the passion of their duty. This was Xeon’s motivation, and the way that he lived.

”If only other things were as easy…” he had said with a smile. ”Perhaps when we return, you should be sure to remember my name to find me. I‘m pretty sure not many people are aware that I exist in the soul society because not only because of my duties in my division, but because I don‘t walk freely around the Seretai seeing I rather let the days go by as I sit in my garden.” he had explained.

”Were you aware of the Seretai‘s Garden Ms. Sato?” he asked glancing towards her.

[Sato Koemi]

Sato glanced to Xeon as he spoke and grinned broadly "I never forget my friends!"

Nathifa fell silent once more, not really knowing much of Soul Society.. save the inside of a cell she saw in the 12th's Division's House..

Blinking in thought, Sato tapped her chin as she tried to recall a garden in Soul Society "I've.. heard of it, but I've never really seen it. Isane-chan and Kiyone-tan use to tell me something of a garden a while ago, but, eh, I have a bad memory for places.." She rubbed the back of her head rather sheepishly, blushing a soft pink. She was a strange one, indeed. She could remember friends and faces, but not places. Well.. everybody's got their quirks.

[Xeon Hubaru]

”Oh!” Xeon’s face had broken into a small red blush hearing her chant that out dearly. To know he was a friend was a good feeling, especially since not many captains or vices came off as friendly since it was usually all duty and no chat with lower seats, and especially to squads that weren’t even their own. He had turned away and his eyes closed showing a solemn and cheerful expression as he nodded confirming her cry out.

”…I‘m glad.” he simply said. Although he listen to her about the Garden, he resisted the urge to give out a small laugh, or even a giggle with his gentle nature. Instead, he simply smiled as he stood up off the rock and turned to Sato. ”Don‘t worry…you‘ll eventually come across it.” he had said giving her a small pep talk.

”I‘m sure that it‘ll be easier. Just give them my name at the Squad Four Barracks.” he said as he smiled kindly while lifting his index as if he was pointing upward, but actually it meant to him “high hopes” as he glanced at her a bit teasingly. ”Unless you‘re a bit ashamed to visit Squad Four Lieutenant.” he said since it was often a lot of the seated members and officers were ashamed to some extent. The found it somewhat…embarrassing.

[Sato Koemi]

Sato blinked, watching him stand atop the rock and gave a soft laugh, blushign shyly "Me? I'm not ashamed to do anything. If I live my life in shame, I wouldn't be a very happy person, now would I?"

The Quincy over to the said murmured something under her breath about Sato being shameless in every aspect of the word, to which the vice-captain shot a dirty look at her.

The vice-captain turned her looks back toward Xeon and brought back her cute smile, blushign alittle more for her look towards her friend "I'll be sure to come and find you! Maybe you, Kiyone-tan, Isane-chan and myself can go together?"

[Xeon Hubaru]

”Ah! Correct!” Xeon had replied to the lieutenant as he let out a small laugh of his voice. He almost forgot that he was talking to someone of a higher rank, but at the same time, he started to acknowledge that she was after all just an ordinary girl. Whether it was pride or not, it seemed to be put aside, and non-existent in this situation because of her personality that was over her duty. It impressed him.

”I have to admit…” he said in flattery, ”It‘s quite strange. Not many of a high seat would put duty and their pride aside to show their true self. I wish that life in the Soul Society wasn‘t all business down to the last root at times.” he had said with a sigh. ”…then again, we‘re doing things for a reason, or…”

He paused not wishing to say something disrespectful that would make it seem as if he was placing his pleasures over what he did. ”…or am I wrong to think this?” he had asked lowly as he let his eyes digress finding himself staring into the ground like there was a whole show at his feet.

[Sato Koemi]

The lieutenant gave a broad smile and tilted her head a little as he said 'correct', as if she were a teacher that was proud of a student. She blinked again as he spoke "Strange..? I don't think so. I think that everyone is equal in their own way. In ways I'm a lieutenant would make another not, and vice versa. Or soemthing like that. I was never good at being analytical. And pride only makes us fools if one has too much.." Her eyes hardened ever so slightly as her thoughts wandered to a couple of people from Squad 11. She seemed to being mentioning them quite alot.. then again, she was romantically involved with the third seat..

She giggled and rubbed the back of her head "But with Ken-chan, his pride is his true self.." she laughed a little bit afterwards.

Sato crossed her arms behind her back and tilted her head, as if confused on what he was asking "Wrong to think.. think what?"

[Xeon Hubaru]

Xeon paused as he had realized that he was rambling once again. His eyes giving a confusing gesture to the captain since surely by now she was thinking that he thought too much. He knew himself to know that this was entirely true. He raised his right hand waving it as if he was seeing her off, but really he was dismissing the thought from his mind like it never came across. It never happened. "Oh! Nevermind that! I'm just putting too much thought in it as all." he had said.

He had sat down once more as he placed his hands in his lap, his expression staring back to the flower as it seemed full of life, not drooping yet to the pentacle where he had to quickly intervene and assert a great deal of energy and keep it alive and well. His gift had gaven him a great deal of pride to take in, especially since he was the only one known to be able to use such a skill. He only wished he could use it on his fallen comrades.

A depressing though it was...

[Sato Koemi]

The vice-captain stretched and gave a groan, as if she thought of something she really didn't want to do, and turned to Nathifa "Hey, Tifa-chan. Can you keep our new friend company? There's someone I have to go meet. Hopefully, he's done tending his own.."

Nathifa looked to Sato with narrowed eyes and frowned "You're gonna try and fight him again?"

The blonde blushed, rubbing the back of her head "Well.. I gave him my promise that I'd fight him later.. It's probably been a good day since I told him.."

The Quincy sighed, shaking her head "I don't suppose I could talk you out of it, huh..?"

Sato shook her head, tilting her head, making sure the flower she pinned into her hair didn't all out and grinned a little broader "I like a good fight. But you know me.. I'll back out if it gets too bad~"

With that, the lieutenant turned to Xeon and grinned still "Thank you for the flower, and I'll see you soon, 'kay? I have to go do something, so I'll be back!" She gave a thumbs up to him, as a sign of good intentions and turned, running, as fast as she could, out of the cavern where the waterfall was and out beyond the barriers the fortress granted protection for.

Nathifa walked forward and sat beside Xeon, almost shyly "So.. uhm.. as Sato-chan said.. my name is Nathifa.. but.. if it's hard to pronouce, you can call me Tifa-chan.."

[Xeon Hubaru]

Xeon had looked over his shoulder seeing the Quincy sit while Sato disappeared into the distance. He had given her a reassuring nod not minding her to suddenly exit with her task, but it made her curious about how a girl like that would fair in a fight. Such personalities weren’t built for war and battle, but one would be surprised of the natural talent. It was close to how he could measure up to that description as well since he didn’t like battle, but he had the talent, the skill even.

Nathifa seemed kind even thought she was straight forward and quiet. He had only given a small chuckle hearing her speak as if she wasn’t sure of what to say. It reminded him of himself since he was the same, except it was because it was more nervous of in habit than awkward. He had coveted his mouth with his right hand as if it was almost more of a cough than his usual small giggle.

”You‘re not use to talking to people a lot…are you Tifa-chan?” he had asked. It was really something he thought he could be straight forward about, but he wasn’t really looking for an answer since it was obvious enough. ”It‘s alright…I‘m really not much different. Though I know that‘ you‘re a good person since it‘s often rare to see a Quincy ally themselves, or even stand by a Shinigami considering the past circumstances.” he had said remaining his inquisitive self.

[Sato Koemi]

The lightly bronze-skinned woman shook her head at his question. She really wasn't much of a talker, let alone have anyone willing to talk to her, save Sato and Ishida-sama..

She glanced to the male shinigami, then to the water and gave a shrug "My hatred is toward a singular shinigami and his division, or really anyone affiliating themselves with him. I've learned from Ishida-sama that all shinigami aren't.. all bad. While I was prisoner in Squad 12's cells, the only person who actually came by every so often to make sure I was okay was a timid person from Squad 4. I never got his name, but he wore a white satchel around his torso. He'd sometimes show up with food for me and he'd stick around to tell me stories about his captain or some weird person named Ganju. But in all that, he never mentioned his name.. nor did I ask for it."

Her deep, thoughtful green eyes twitched back and forth in thought, as if recalling every moment with that shinigami "He's also the one that kindof.. changed my view on you people. I have a soft spot for Squad Four shinigami."

[Xeon Hubaru]

”I am…umm…most sorry to hear that.” Xeon had said as he let his fingers tap against his leg bit nervously seeing he had an association with such a division. Even though it wasn’t major, or even for a long time, he felt a bit guilty in his heart understanding why she’d feel that way. ”I wish not to discourage you knowing I was once asked to do research in that division, but I know I was only a pawn so they would learn of my root abilities as if it was a tool.” he had said before glancing over his shoulder with a gentle smile.

”I think that my ability isn‘t something to be tampered with. I only desire the health of the Earth and nothing more. To know this unique kidou skill was to be used to turn the Earth bounty into a sort of tool for fighting is beyond my will, and I would do anything to prevent that. That is why I couldn‘t allow myself to do anything upon Research and Development, and I guess miss Unohana understood that.” he said with another smile before turning his back and staring up to the ceiling.

”I‘d like to think that such people as myself and the squad member you‘re referring to are welcomed to this division Four is because we have things to offer above war and strength, but perhaps things that are of much richer value and quality such as friendship and kindness. Those things go beyond understand than a sword I‘d like to believe.” he had said with a smile as he stroked a hand across his Zanpaktou while setting it upon his lap.

”I could understand why one would indeed accept members such as us sometimes, and why those would reject them. I‘m happy to know you see the value of Division Four‘s members. I think that strong fighters and warriors complete members such as us because when they fall, we‘re there to pick them up, and behind passion and strong will, we supply a strong sense of wisdom and kindness.” he had said pursing his lips sweetly as he looked over his shoulder with the same blissful expression on his face.

”What about you?” he had asked happily.

[Sato Koemi]

Nathifa merely sat there as he went on, thinking to herself "You don't act like that.. man.. from Squad 12.. and you're in Squad Four, so there is not reason for me to not like you. Sato-chan seems to trust you and she has a pretty good head on her shoulders.

"Squad Four earned my respect. After all, other than Sato herself, the same squad four member that kept visiting me and a couple of other people, helped me escape.."

She gave an uneasy fidget as she sat there. Poor Nathifa was never really all that good with words. Heck, most of her time was spent in a cell where she only glared at Mayuri as he spoke to her, or fall silent with a serene expression on her face as the one Squad Four member brought her food and spoke to her. Silence was pretty much her vocabulary.

"I.. believe that war is sad.. full of despair and agony. And the only reprieve we have, the only solasce we can find in all this darkness, is the light of kindness. The kindness to help a friend, the kindness to tend to your own comrades.. That's.. how I feel.." she explained slowly, as if unsure of her own words.