lucetilogs | Flowers

Flowers

Who: Konan

capnteebee
What: A meeting
When: Tonight
Where: Ukitake's Garden
Summary: Konan takes Ukitake up on his offer, and comes to see the flowers
Rating: G?

It was later evening, and as promised, Konan was quietly making her way towards House 34. Light footsteps carried her through the grass and around the building, heading towards the Garden Ukitake-san had described.

She was calm, pleased at the idea of meeting someone she had spoken with in good terms on the journal. The man seemed pleasant and quiet, but of course appearances and mannerisms over a journal were not everything. It would take meeting him, speaking with him...it would take these to judge him more accurately.

"Ukitake-san...?" she spoke, raising her voice a little in order to be heard, turning to study the shadows around herself curiously.

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Jushirou had been sitting on the oak bench he had set up in his garden, listening to the running water of the river nearby. It was an excellent meditative state for the witnessing of a blossom, he thought. And he even had prepared some jasmine tea to drink while watching...of course meant to serve two.

And just as his thoughts went to Konan, she seemed to appear. The old shinigami gave her a soft grin and a bow of his head, polite as should be for a man of his status, though his face seemed much more welcoming. He patted a space next to himself.

"You are just in time, Konan-san. Have some tea, the show is about to begin."

Ah, there he was. She turned to face him, making her way towards him with a small smile affixed to her lips. As Jushirou bowed his head she responded with a bow of her own. Formal, respectful.

And then she was moving to sit at his side on the bench, taking care to adjust her skirt. It was...calm here. Peaceful. The scent of the tea and the promise of pleasant company was enough to bring her out of the sullen mindset she had been in as of late.

"Thank you, Ukitake-san." A quiet murmur as she was accepting that tea for herself, settling back comfortably.

"I took care timing the blooms of the other flowers in relativity to their blooming periods in my home world and was able to determine an accurate enough estimate of when the roses shall bloom," Ukitake explained, as if there was an unspoken question as to why he chose the time he did.

There was a painted sky above them as well as a nice breeze. There were sounds of laughter and commerce coming from the village beyond, with the river providing ambiance closer to them. It was an ideal setting for this event, Jushirou thought.

He took a sip from he tea and gave a smile to Konan. "So, Konan-san...I haven't heard from you lately...how has life been for you?

She was silent for a moment, sipping at the tea, contemplating his words and that question. The flowers...his manner of cultivation seemed appropriate, and moreso, well thought out. His careful timing seemed to show a care that went beyond words.

"I...have not been up to much, surprisingly." She said quietly. She wasn't used to remaining stationary...to not having a purpose. It was hard to come to terms with, and had led to many a day of sullen contemplation.

"It is hard to get used to this place completely...as beautiful as it is..." she murmured, turning to study him as she took another small sip of the tea.

Ah, that was something he was familiar with. As serene as Luceti could be in these moments of peace, Soul Society was never far from Jushirou's mind. He held great responsibility there, after all, as Captain of the 13th Division. The people he cared for most...and how much they all depended on him...those weighed heavily on him from time to time. Perhaps in planting the flowers that represented them, he found some connection to his home world.

"Perhaps, in order to fill you time, you can aide Hotaru and I in this garden? There are still a great many flowers to plant as well as the koi pond to build. I would love to have the help...and the company," he said, the smile fading only the slightest bit.

"..." she considered his words, mulling them over thoughtfully before glancing back to Jushirou.

"...That might be a wise idea, Ukitake-san. And I would...enjoy the company as well." She murmured quietly. She was unaccustomed to feeling even the slightest bit lonely, and putting her actions to something pleasant besides training, besides origami might be just what she needed.

"I would be honored to assist you."

"Good. I had hoped you would take the offer," Jushirou responded with another of those smiles. He took a long sip from his tea and brought his attention back to the bush before them, white tips on the buds showing.

"And so it begins...a blossom as pure as snow...giving live to the world around it," he said quietly, almost to himself. Slowly...the buds began to bloom.

His words drew her attention once more, and quickly she returned her gaze to the rose bush. And indeed, he was right! The tips of the buds just barely opening, slowly blooming.

"Oh..." barely a whisper as she held that cup close, watching the blooming flowers with rapt interest. Beauty...purity...the true form of art that her own origami could never replace.

It would be a slow bloom...the white roses seemed to almost want to relish their moment for all it was worth. Taking in the glory of the new world around them in small doses, so as not to overwhelm themselves. It was enough to make Jushirou chuckle, thinking on the metaphor.

"To think I've got blooming white roses in the middle of summer...truly a miracle!" he said with a bright grin, taking another sip of his tea. "This place is filled with so much wonder...it's a shame there are so many periods of harshness."

"It's beautiful here...I can't deny that." she admitted quietly, her gaze trained on those roses.

"Certainly...not like my home. I don't think anything of beauty was capable of growing there." Not like these roses. White roses no less, her favorite flower. Calmly, she took another sip of the tea, glancing away only to peer at Jushirou before looking back.

"What harshness? Would you...elaborate?"

"The experiments...," Jushirou said with a slight sigh, thinking back on the darkness from before. "And those whom are absconded by the Malnosso for dark acts...," he added, his thoughts wandering to the young Toshirou and the illusions that still plagued is mind.

"These things...they are the rot on the petals of Luceti that we cannot ignore no matter how beautiful the flower itself is," he spoke softly, turning to her. "But even then...beauty still exists..."

"I have no doubt your home posses the same trait...even with all the wilted flowers, there would still be a few strong young flowers, trying to bloom."

"I know little of them...but Itachi-san has informed me of what he can about the Malnasso..." Her eyes darkened for a moment before she deliberately turned towards the blossoms once more, allowing her gaze to soften. The beauty of those roses could calm her quickly enough, it seemed.

His analogy gave her plenty to think on, and she dipped her head, smiling very faintly as she turned to face him once more.

"There were as many wilted flowers as tears, Ukitake-san. But rain does have a habit of ushering the earth towards growth..." Her hand rose, absently, gently playing over the petals of the origami rose she wore in her hair.

Jushirou looked at her at those words, the blossoms still spreading out before them. Such an odd exchange of metaphors they were having, it seemed. Though that last one really spoke to him. The rain fostering growth...it reminded him of his Division back home.

"There was an old name they used to give the 13th Division...'The Watchers of the Storm' we were called...it was mostly because we almost exclusively used water based zanpaktou, but also because we were a reserve crew for the most part. Many young Shinigami were brought to me so that they might be fostered into stronger forms for use in other divisions," he began to speak, looking back at the flower now as he took a sip of his tea.

"The Watchers of the Storm...?" she echoed, turning, just enough to study him more closely. The words he spoke were simple, but carried a ring of elegance, to them somehow. It wasn't a stretch to imagine him helping foster younger...shinigami...for the future.

"Some people thought that the children of war that were once left in the Village hidden in the Rain should be put to death...rather than face misery at the hands of life. I do not agree with this, however." she added quietly, taking another sip of that tea.

Jushirou turned to her fully, his face reflecting concern at her last statement. So things really were that bad in her home town...Such things a child should never have to experience, it seemed she had. Jushirou could not help but feel for for her...he could only imagine such a thing.

"I do not either...no one should ever have to be subject to such cruelty..."

"No...but cruelty is present in all worlds. Even here...however..." her eyes met Jushirou's for a moment before the gaze slipped towards those blossoms fondly.

"There is...great beauty as well. Such things must remain in some semblance of balance."

Jushirou chuckled slightly, looking back to the roses as they seemingly finished their bloom. Truer words had yet to be spoken that evening. Beauty and cruelty, chaos and order...such things needed to balance. That was what the Shinigami attempted to do, after all, keep the balance of life and death.

"The roses turned out fantastic...a purer white I have not seen in any other rose...," he said quietly, rubbing the back of his head with some slight nervousness.

So slow to bloom...but worth every moment for the wait. Konan allowed herself, for a moment to relax, sighing quietly. The company, the tea...the tranquil surroundings. It brought about a temporary sort of peace that she found...she didn't mind at all. Even if she should have...

"They're beautiful...I can't remember the last time I saw a real white rose..." her gaze traveled back to Jushirou then, lips quirking upwards at his nervous gesture.

"Hmm...?"

"Hmm? Oh, nothing, just...I don't really know what else I can do to keep your company. I only invited you over for tea and bloom watching, after all," he said with a slight chuckle, finishing the last of his tea and letting out a sigh.

"I rather enjoy your company after all."

"Well, if that is a hint for me to leave, I would not dream of bothering you." She murmured, her voice and face a mask of composure.

"However...I rather enjoy your company as well...I have not spoken with many since arriving." she added, fingers curling around the small cup.

"Well," Jushirou said, perking up slightly as he heard her words. She seemed like the sort of person he could just sit in the quiet with, after all. There was something quite pleasant about that.

"Perhaps we can just sit here and watch the sun set then," he smiled, turning on the bench to face over the river then, looking up to the sky.

"...I would like that a great deal..." She offered him that quiet sort of smile once more, turning as well, gaze skimming the river before sliding upwards, to the sky.

It was...too perfect. Almost unbearably so. She didn't deserve it...

But she enjoyed it anyways.

"Over two thousand years...and nature has never lost its splendor in my eyes," Jushirou said with a slight chuckle. "Majesty unending...constantly changing and shifting and growing...it really puts things in perspective, does it not?" Jushirou offered, looking over to Konan, whose smile, while subtle, was brought out by the shifting colors of the evening light.

"Two thousand years...?" she turned, just slightly, catching his gaze for a moment, curiosity apparent. But it faded to that serene look, as if it didn't matter overmuch, and certianly didn't upset the quiet mood that had descended over them.

"...It is one thing that I hope will never change. Never quite the same...but it is always there."

"I have been a Shinigami for a very long time, Konan-san," Jushirou responded, grinning softly. He had been alive as a spiritual being for only slightly longer, in fact. Almost his entire existence was dedicated to his work, it seemed...

"It's odd...I've seen entire civilizations come and go, but the empire of nature has been ever standing."

"So it seems..." But there was no amusement in her voice. Simply a quiet sort of awe and appreciation for the ability to benefit from his wisdom and company.

"Nature will always retake it's own, eventually."

Jushirou nodded, waiting quietly for a moment to speak again. He hoped the conversation, from this point, would not grow too heavy for Konan. His next words...held great thought in them.

"I have...pondered on my end that is too come. Most recently, in fact...of what will become of my soul after my days have finally ended...," he said softly, not looking at anything in particular.

"There was a time I wanted to be reincarnated as a teacher," he chuckled in a melancholy fashion. "But in the last several years...I think I have pondered just...fading away completely. My soul becoming one with the life force of nature...perhaps a bush of Summer Snowflakes," he added, his tone softening even more.

Konan listened intently to his words, imagining for herself the meaning behind them. Ukitake seemed a man capable of great kindness...something that she found...pleasing. Soothing, in a sense.

"Fading away?" eyes closed, fingers rising to gently stroke the blossom in her hair.

"After such a long time...I can see how that might be preferred. But...you would be a good teacher I think. You seem very kind, to me."

"Perhaps I'll retire and teach at the Academy then...they have offered me a position there, after all," Jushirou chuckled, taking the compliment with a smile and a slight blush, though it was hardly noticeable.

He was pleasant company, and for a moment she simply watched him before turning away, body language showing she was at ease...relaxed. It wasn't often she oculd find someone who didn't demand attention, or who was dramatic and loud. There were only a few people she knew and kept close who were quiet.

"Thank you for sharing this with me this evening."

"Thank you for allowing me to share it," Jushirou said, turning to her with soft grin that he was quickly becoming known for. Konan was exceptional company...someone he can see himself spending a lot of time with just watching sunsets and meditating. It wasn't often he found someone content to do such things.

Her only answer was for that small smile to grow...just a little. And she was content to sit there for a time, as the sun set. They didn't seem to need to talk constantly to share one another's company, something she was grateful for.

"Ukitake-san..." she said after awhile, breaking the stillness that had settled so quietly around them. "Perhaps I should be on my way soon...but I would like to speak with you again soon, if you wish..." she added gently.

Jushirou paused a moment, sharing her smile before rising from his seat and gathering up the two tea mugs onto the lacquered tray. "I would like that as well, Konan-san. There are many more flowers to bloom, after all," he said, bowing to her more deeply than before to express his gratitude to her.

"Goodnight, Konan-san."

She had to remind herself to be cautious, simply rising and offering him a respectful bow of her own. She was grateful for his presence, and the beauty he had shared with her. It made things...far more bearable here.

"Goodnight, Ukitake-san. I...thank you for your kindness today. Hopefully, we will be able to talk again soon..." and with that she was turning away, carefully making her way from that lovely garden, back towards her own home.

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Flowers

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