Calm before the Storm (Complete)

OOC: (Time: 9:30 A.M. Friday May 4th)

---

This day Seireitei had awoken with its unrivaled splendor.

At 7 A.M., just like every morning since those dreadful imprisoned days, Ruby's eyelids had risen as quickly and as suddenly as a flash of lightning. She laid on her rather large, well-cushioned mattress. She awoke rested on her back, her right arm laying palm upward just inches from her head and her left arm palm downward just to the side of her left thigh. She had worn a black, mid-waist tank-top and a black, silk thong. Her curvacious yet muscled build had laid under a warm blanket, sewn of black wolf fur. Surprisingly, her silky brown hair had remained in immaculate condition. A Queen even in her sleep. Dangling from the headboard holstered within the brown leather, just above her head, had hung her twin revolvers, Jago and Jin. It was where they always lay keeping watch over their master. Her quarters had been pitch black save for a slight light shone through a slight ajar of her sliding, steel door. She had heard the morning birds chirping, but her eyes had remained locked onto the ceiling.

"Hic! How 'bout some ale!?" Ruby had heard emanate from within her soul. Within her own mind, Ruby had responded. "Its too goddamn early." Her tone had been calm and collected. "Aww, come on! Hic! Just a lil' bit!" Before Jintao could have even finished, Ruby had interrupted him. Her right palm had then moved and rested over her forehead. "I SAID ITS TOO GODDAMN EARLY!"

For fucks sake, that idiotic Zanpakutō had at that moment ruined her morning.

---

She had taken this morning out of her usual itinerary. She hadn't trained, hadn't meditated...she hadn't even drunk her habitual herbal tea. Well, fuck habit. It was a trait that human's exemplified and god forbid she'd be classified as one. A terrible characteristic it was.

No, this morning, since 8:00 A.M., Rubianca had arrived at the Fullmoon Maple Garden. It is a spacious and open area comprised solely of the Fullmoon Maple tree. The tree's crimson pedals provide a splendid contrast to the black and white Seireitei. Yes, Ruby had always enjoyed the peace and calm that would manifest within the center of this gorgeous forest.

The female Oukami sat against one of the Fullmoon Maples, her back straightened and parallel to its rough trunk. Ruby's legs were outstretched and crossed at her shins. The right leg sat atop the left. She wore her typical Captain's uniform. Her haori hung a bit loose, displaying her chest in its infinite, glorious cleavage. Her hair was up in a ponytail as usual, her silky brown bangs falling down past both cheeks, the tips resting just beside her jawline on either side. It was quite breezy this morning. The black fur on her haori waves back and forth with the wind. Her ponytail and bangs flicker to the right in accordance with the consistent gusts. She had a newly lit cigarette clenched between her soft, pink lips. The consistent smoke trailed skyward in a dance of joyful release. Her expression was quite shallow and undisturbed. Her complete focus was on her revolver, Jago, which was clenched within her right hand. Jin was still holstered under her right arm-pit and Yoy no Oyo lay together, like the very twins they are, beside her right thigh.

She was about to dismember the revolver in her hand. She closes her left eye and squints her right as she pulls the fire-arm closer to her face. Yea, it required some tuning.

The wide windows leading into Xarath's room were like usual opened - the window planes touching the light orange walls, giving the breeze enough space to invade his sanctuary. Outside one could hear birds chirping happily, complimenting the day's beauty, and noises could be heard just under the window, where live was already blooming on the former dead streets.

Though the only occupant of said room did not notice any of this. Not even as one of the of the alarm clocks went off. One of... not a single one was placed on the otherwise clean table next to the bed, but five more - all in different shapes, colors... and with different sounds. The current one, red in color and of rectangle shape, was singing an annoying song of a repetitive 'beep' 'beep' 'beep' in a shrill voice. It did not serve its purpose though, as merely the leg, of the otherwise covered body, twitched twice. It never had managed to wake Xarath, and it certainly won't do so in the future.

After twenty seconds it stopped. Once more the inside of the room grew silent and the figure, hidden under a pile of different colored blankets, slept on undisturbed. Ten minutes later alarm clock number one started its noise again, this time backed up by alarm clock number two, a round, black one, which would easily fit onto the palm of a hand. Its sound was a high 'ringringringringringring', which even made the two birds, which just had taken rest on the windowsill take flight once more.

Xarath slept on.

Twenty seconds later the noise stopped once more. After ten minutes the first two alarm clocks will start once more, this time with a third partner in crime - a yellow one, formed like an egg, which merely repeated 'Good morning, good morning, good morning' for another twenty seconds.
Though finally, a shifting under the blankets.

Today it only took five alarm clocks, to make Xarath finally sit up. Yawning loudly he pushed the eight blankets from his nude body, the most bottom made of a red silk while the top one was black fur. Heavenly.

Unlike waking up. Tiredly the wiry body lifted a right arm, rubbing tired eyes. It was far too early... Clumsily Xarath kicked the blankets off his still caught leg and rolled over the jet-black mattress towards the table. Once he arrived at his destination he reached out for his alarm clocks, wiping two off the table in the process. The noise, when the hard plastic met the wooden floorboards made him cringe for a moment before he sat up completely, placing his feet on the floor - the coldness sending a shiver through his body, to pick up the dropped clocks, switching those also off.

Xarath clicked his tongue twice before sighing heavily and pressing the palms of his hands against the soft mattress, pushing himself into a standing position. He stretched his arms over his body, standing on the tip of his toes, before he yawned again.

With tired looking eyes, a still sleeping brain and hair askew did he step into the bathroom on auto-pilot.

This morning, was just like any other.

Xarath lifted his right foot just slightly - barely hovering it over the ground, before taking a step forward, the foot now setting onto the wide court of 5th Division. Earlier, in his barrack, he had taken a hot shower - unfortunately had had no time for a long, soothing bath. He'd have one in the evening, hopefully not falling asleep like last time. After he had toweled himself dry he got himself ready, everything still on auto-pilot. His hair was fixed in a loose knot behind his neck, loose stands like always tickling his visible skin. Xarath's baggy uniform had slipped down on his left arm earlier, though he still had not even noticed it. Yawning from time to time he slowly continued on his way, three times almost falling over his own legs. He had not yet greeted anybody, had barely registered that people were walking past him, though members of 5th probably already knew about his ignorance in the morning. The man just needed a tiny bit longer to fully awake.

Xarath yawned again, before clicking his tongue, his right hand was sliding along the wall - hopefully steadying him in case he fell again. Like earlier... on those blasted stairs... who had invented stairs anyway? Useless things. Traps! Nothing more! Xarath clicked his tongue in annoyance, cursing them some more on his way towards his captain's office. He'd report to be on duty, like always. What for he did not really know. His captain very well knew when he was present, hell, the tough woman probably knew everything, maybe he just felt like letting somebody know.

Xarath clicked his tongue twice again, thinking about his captain taking all of the little concentration he currently had and therefore the right foot, which had been sliding along the wooden floorboards caught on a nail which had not been properly hit into the floor, sending the tired man stumbling forwards - making him fall in front of his captain's door.

He groaned heavily once he hit the floor, his chin aching from the impact, but he could not bother himself anymore. His captain's door... his captain... ahhhhh~~~~ he had such a wonderful captain. Xarath clicked his tongue and curled himself up, closing his eyes before sighing contently. She was such a tough woman. She was so prote...

"Uhhhh Shiru-fukutaichou?"
Annoying voice. Though by far not as annoying as the finger poking his shoulder, making his body flinch.
"Shiru-fukutaichou? Shiru-fukutaichou!"
Xarath groaned, before opening his eyes slowly - his vision blurry. What... was...tha...ohhhh~~~ a door.
"Shiru-fukutaichou. Are you alright?" the male voice continued.
"Fuck yeah." Xarath mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper. "Need go to the captain."
"But.... but the captain is not here, Shiru-fukutaichou."
Xarath blinked his eyes again, finally concentrating himself on her reiatsu. Indeed... he had come all this way here for nothing...
"Damnit. Why the hell am I here then?"
"Uhhh.... I... don't know, Sir?"
Xarath turned his head, glaring at the male, who gulped nervously. Idiot. That question didn't need an answer.
He clicked his tongue again, ignoring as the man reached out his arm for him and pushed his own hands against the floorboards, standing up slowly.

Fullmoon Marple Garden.
That was her location. Though why? Usually she was not there at that time... her daily routine did not give her enough time to... Xarath clicked his tongue.
Was something wrong with her?

Suddenly he felt a little more awake than earlier. He had to make sure nothing was worrying his captain, even though he had absolutely no right to put his nose into her business.

"Go back to work." he muttered, before setting one foot in front of the other again - this time steadier, and made his way back from where he had come.

For once Xarath did not marvel at the size of 5th's court, but crossed it with hasty steps, once more ignoring everybody around him. He did not even bother himself with greeting the guards, who dutifully protected 5th's secrets from others, but merely went on. He doubted they would hold it against him though, by now he was quite sure they could see he was busy by the pace of his steps.

He was in front of the garden in a matter of minutes, concentrating on her reiatsu - and only hers. He clicked his tongue. She seemed... content? Xarath titled his head in confusion. Though... why no routine then? It seemed to be such a big part of her and then... Oukami-taichou simply stopped it?
He could not wrap his mind around that.

Therefore he took a deep breath, clicked his tongue twice more and stepped into the garden, trying to be as silent as possible at this ungodly hour.

It did not take him too long to find her. He brushed the soft skin of his right palm against the trunk of one of those maple trees, watching the scene in front of him. She had one of her guns placed in front of her, working on it with a thoughtful, yet content expression on her face. Her features softer than usual and with the gold of the sun reflecting of her skin she almost seemed to glow - to become otherworldly. Her hair, like his, was moving gently with the light breeze, which was also carrying red leaves on its back, making them seemingly dance in joy around his stunning captain.

Her presence, the gold and red... Xarath clicked his tongue again, knew perfectly well she most likely had already noticed his presence long ago, before kneeling down some feet away from her, his right hand still placed against the trunk, while his eyes set onto the ground - trying to avoid looking at the scene in front of him any longer. He had no right to watch something as beautiful as that.

He clicked his tongue again, waiting for her to decide when she wanted to give him her attention. The only one who had the right to break the spell of this moment was Oukami-taichou after all.
Tongue click.

Jago. Those were the successive, crimson letters engraved within the side of her now held revolver. Her fingers were wrapped around the dark, bamboo grip. The weapon was turned horizontally to the left, the inscription now just a foot away from her eyes. She still sat with her legs outstretched and crossed. Her long sleeved haori still coated most of her toned figure yet it not dared to cover her cleavage. The cig was now a quarter burnt, its trailing smoke still twirling upward past her hazel eyes and brown bangs. He was on his way.

She lifts her previously dormant left arm, turns the revolver to face straight within her right grip and engages the safety with her left thumb. The revolver still facing forward, with that same thumb, Ruby presses on the thumb release. The six-round cylinder pops out to the left and descends diagonally. It was now just a centimeter above the trigger. Within each chamber lay a sparkling, radiating manifestation of crimson. Her hazel eyes flicker as they gaze upon the six energy condensations. In an instant, though, the crimson colored energy dissipates. Seconds later, all that remained were six empty chambers. A gust of wind blows causing her garments and brown hair to wrinkle and sweep to the right. She sniffs. His scent assails her nostrils.

Ruby blinks blankly as she takes another puff of her smoke. She jerks her right hand wrist to the right. The cylinder tilts back into place. She exhales a stream of smoke from her nostrils. The unruly gas clouds her immediate visage for a brief moment before it too dissipates, leaving only the consistent stream of the cig's tip trailing skyward. She lessens her grip on the revolver's handle and leaves an open area on the left side. Using her still airborne left hand, Ruby sinks her right thumb's, short nail into a crevice of the left side of the bamboo grip and applies force. The left side of the pistol's handle pops off. Rubianca blinks blankly as she places the left handle piece on the leaved ground, just next to her right thigh. He was now feet away from her.

Her expression still blank, she turns the weapon horizontally once more and peers into its now visible skeletal frame. Jago was now also visible once more.

She remains silent.

Xarath was by far not an impatient man, though by now he wondered if she had been too absorbed in her work for her to notice him. Or did she merely not care that he was here? Well, that seemed unlike her, though it also seemed unlike her to drop her routine.
He clicked his tongue, his eyes now, as his hands, sat on his thighs, hoping that the waiting would not leave grass stains on his uniform.
Grass was horrible to get out again.
Which was the only problem he currently saw in waiting.

Though standing up? He'd tower over her far too much. It was shameful for his captain, no matter if she agreed on it or not, if something like him towered over somebody like her.
Xarath clicked his tongue twice, his posture staying as calm as ever though. If Oukami-taichou wanted him another hour on his knees then so be it, though in that case he'd quickly go and change his pants before taking over division duties. Another tongue click. Hopefully not too much paperwork was collecting on his desk.
It was just... such a dreadful task.

He blinked his eyes, coming back out of his thoughts. What the hell was he doing there? He needed to pay attention in case she was talking to him. Once more Xarath clicked his tongue, softly shaking his head. He really needed to stop with that drifting off.

Stop he said.

Stop it!

Fuck.

Damnit.

Xarath's shoulder slummed slightly and he let out a barely audible sigh. He was a hopeless case. Another tongue click before he slightly rose his eyes, just glancing at her hands. Still so focused on her task, while she probably knew exactly what everybody some feet around her was doing. Indeed, only such an amazing person could be captain of 5th.

He clicked his tongue again, lowering his eyes onto his thighs once more and patiently continued to wait.
After all - there was nothing else for him to do.

Her ear picks up the subtle sound of a tongue click. Her seemingly complete attention remains on her mechanical weapon, though. The fire-arm still turned and gripped within her right hand, Ruby's eyes swift back and forth as she studies the handle's steel exterior centimeter by centimeter. Her left arm now lay over her laps. Her hand dangled off the side of her right thigh, its fingers not far from Oyo no Yoy. Her ear twitches again. Another tongue click she hears.

The four screws, one on each end of the rectangular handle, begin to unscrew rapidly at their own whim. She lifts her left hand, palm up, just an inch below the bottom-tip of the handle. The four screws dislodge and fall into her opened palm. She curls her fingers, ensures the screws are gripped well within her grasp and brings her arm back down. She then uncurls her fingers and turns her palm slowly upside down. The four screws land softly on her lap. Another tongue click.

Her right hand still airborne and her left now resting on her left lap, Ruby blinks three times in quick succession and lifts her head slightly. Her eyes now stared at an adjacent tree trunk roughly 10 feet in distance. She takes a puff of her smoke. It was now half way burnt, its smoke still swirling skyward. Her expression was still blank and unmoved.

"Hmm?" she muffles through her clenched lips. Smoke exhales from her nostrils simultaneously.

Silently Xarath continued to listen to the woman work, his eyes by now closed. This scene almost had something comforting to him. Birds, which were still singing in joy about the beauty of the day, the soft breeze, which was so playfully tugging on his hair and uniform and his captain - seeming so utterly content.

Two tongue clicks.
If somebody were to ask him he'd inform them that his captain rarely was content. Indeed, an air of calm always seemed to follow her around though just rarely did she seem really... free. Xarath clicked his tongue again, his eyes still stubbornly fixed on his thighs. If he could just help her more, if he could just do more... maybe she would be content more often then.

He sighed heavily. Never, not in a million years would he be able to...

"Hmm?"

Carefully Xarath lifted his head, glancing at his captain who... well she was not looking at him, that was for sure. Somewhere behind him? Was there... he clicked his tongue. Of course there was nobody. Maybe she decided on which trunk would become her next target? Another tongue click. Of course... it was only professional to check if the weapons worked properly.

Deciding that this was probably the case he lowered his eyes once more, hoping the noise would not be that loud...
As if.
Tongue click.

There it was again, another feint clicking sound. Her facial disposition remains unshaken. Even under the joyous sounds of bird chirps and the gushing winds, Ruby could still hear the little pup's nervous habit. Well, she had some shitty habits too...way more shitty. She notices the feminine male look up and then back down, his silky gorgeous black hair glistening in the subtle yet potent sunlight. She shifts her gaze towards him, but only with her eyes. No other muscle, not even her head, had moved. Ruby's vision of Xarath was obscured due to her long, brown bangs. Just how she preferred.

She scoffs inwardly as she studies his face. His demeanor, his expression...his general disposition. Everything gave him away. Her hazel pupils return to the center of her eyes as they straighten to once more face forward. She then lowers her right hand, revolver still gripped, and rests it onto her right lap, just inches from the four screws. Ruby then lifts her left hand and pulls out her cigarette. It was now three-fourths burnt. She clenches the bud in between her left thumb and index finger, and then brings it down face first into the grassy ground beside her left thigh. Returning her stare to the adjacent tree trunk, Ruby finally speaks.

"Little Shiru, recently awoken and already worried about his Captain, huh?" she rambles under a calm yet raspy tone. Her visage then finally displays some form of emotion as her brows rise and her forehead wrinkles slightly. Her left hand now lay on her left lap. "Well, I don't blame you, kid. Having your Captain do something out of her ordinary routine...one that she's followed for over a hundred years..." Before she had even finished the sentence, Ruby reaches into her left kimono pocket, just beside her left breast and pulls out a Marlboro cig. The white and gold wrapping of the smoke a sleek contrast to their surroundings. Using both her left hand's index and middle fingers, Ruby raises the cigarette to her mouth and places the bud in between her pink lips. It protruded from the left-most opening of her gape. "...Would probably raise some suspicion. And we all know what suspicion leads to, don't we?" She spoke that last sentence coldly as her eyes turn to face Xarath once more. Only her hazel eyes.

There, that feeling. Xarath clicked his tongue twice. Her eyes were now on him, just a moment, but still... maybe he was annoying her? He clicked his tongue again. After all, he just had wanted to make sure she was alright and seeing her that content after arriving... hell feeling it... he should just have left instead of snooping around and ruining her calm.

Then the feeling was gone and he felt how his shoulders... his whole posture relaxed once more. Why was he still caring so much? Especially caring about what she thought of him?
Well... because it was Oukami-taichou and not just anybody?
Xarath clicked his tongue once more, before registering the barely audible noise.
Most likely her cigarette bud.
No shooting then... at least for now.

"Little Shiru, recently awoken and already worried about his Captain, huh?"

Xarath could not help himself but flinch, once she started to talk - her voice finally breaking the silence between them.

"Well, I don't blame you, kid. Having your Captain do something out of her ordinary routine...one that she's followed for over a hundred years..."

Though... was he really worried? He would not allow himself to worry about her - it would just mean that he did not trust in her power, that he was underestimating her. He clicked his tongue. No, this woman has proven more than once that she was more than capable of being fine on her own.
Though... had he not arrived here to make sure she was alright? Was there a difference between concern and worry?

Did not those two emotions show how close two people were? Who was he though, to take the right to just think about being close to somebody like her. And she? Would she scoff at something like that or would warmth also spread through her body? Would she like it?
Xarath pressed his lips together, his eyes still stubbornly on his thighs, trying to suppress the sigh which was bubbling in the back of his throat. Of all those people, she still was the biggest mystery for him. He just was unable to read her and... it frustrated him, but at same time...

"...Would probably raise some suspicion. And we all know what suspicion leads to, don't we?"

Immediately he was pulled back out of his thoughts, once more feeling anger at himself for drifting off when Oukami-taichou was talking to him. He clicked his tongue twice. Suspicion. Leads to? To what..?

Instantly Xarath's head snapped up, shocked eyes starring at his captain who had spoken so coldly. Did she really think...

"I... I would never dare to gossip about you, Oukami-taichou." he explained to her, his voice holding a tune of urgency. It did lead to gossips, or? Well it was the only theory he had, though... he would never gossip... especially not about her. "I just... I wanted to..." Make sure you are alright? Hell... she'd think he thought of her as a child. Xarath clicked his tongue twice more, dropping his head once more - though this time his eyes settled on the fresh, green grass. Just how should he explain himself?
Though he had to, he could not allow to show that much of his weakness.
She'd scoff at it... be annoyed at him. No, somebody who had come such a long path but still managed to walk tall had every right to be angered at seeing such attitude presented to them.

"I wanted to report to duty, though you were not there." he murmured. "I noticed you here which was... uncommon. I did not worry for your safety, though I decided to see if you were alright." And if not? Did he really think she would have cried her heart out? No... somebody like her took it with her head held high.
...or?

"I apologize, if I interrupted you."

No, he honestly had no explanation why he was really here.
He just was.
Tongue click.

Her stare had remained until the boy's lips parted in response. As soon as she saw his lips twitch, Ruby returned her gaze forward. Back on that tree trunk.

"I... I would never dare to gossip about you, Oukami-taichou."

"I just... I wanted to..."

"I wanted to report to duty, though you were not there."

"I noticed you here which was... uncommon. I did not worry for your safety, though I decided to see if you were alright."

"I apologize, if I interrupted you."

She listened intently, line after line, pause after pause. Ruby didn't need to study her Vice Captain's expression, nor his movements, nor his body language. She could dissect his intent from just his words, from just his tone. Half way through his speak, Ruby had pulled a black, wolf-head inspired lighter from the very pocket she kept her cigarettes in. It now lay in her left palm, her thumb, index and middle fingers wrapped around it. Its wolf-inspired head protruded from the circled opening of her curled fingers. Her right, revolver clenched hand still lay rested on her right lap. The pup, so duty-borne. He would do anything for the 5th...for her. Just like a fucking dog! She growls inwardly, her expression not abandoning her stoniness. How she hated to see individuals act as if they were owned by others. As if they were pets. She raises her left arm, lighter in hand. She points the maw of the wolf just an inch from the cig tip and pulls on the flint wheel. A spark erupts and then as if in response, a consistent yet small flame shoots froth from the wolf's gape. It lights the smoke.

Well, at least the boy knew of what she had referred to earlier. The whole suspicion bit. She takes a puff of her smoke as she returns the lighter to whence it came. She then rests her left hand on her lap once more, but this time, palm facing up. Though this apologetic bullshit. The kid had a lot to learn. If it wasn't for this cig...

She tilts her head up. The back of her head collides softly with the rough bark, her ponytail flattening and acting as a cushion. Her eyes now stared up at the crimson filled branches of the Fullmoon Maple. How beatiful, it reminded her of...

She closes her eyes. No. It reminded her of no-one. She takes another puff of her smoke and quickly releases the cough inducing gas from her nostrils. She wouldn't lie to herself...having Xarath, having someone place so much thought and care in her well-being...it made life bearable.

A strong gust of wind blows, causing her garments and bangs to dance in its wake. And thankfully, it ceased the silence that had plagued them these past, miniscule moments. She opens her eyes abruptly. They remained locked onto the crimson leaves. "What do you want me to tell you, then? Get to work?" She had said it with a soft yet raspy voice.

No, today she wasn't in the mood to do paperwork...at least for now. She just wanted to...play that harmonious piano. For once she wanted to just escape this fucking hell-hole.

Xarath noted how she silently let him ramble down whatever he had to say, though the air of contentedness... it seemed to have disappeared. He clicked his tongue, bowing his head even more.
What had he done?

Instead of going back to her task she seemed annoyed now. Maybe he should not have shown his visage so close? Though that would have been stupid. Oukami-taichou would have felt him anyway... and the last thing he wanted the tough woman to think was that he had no spine.

At the soft thud he finally lifted his head once more, watching her glance at the sky. Though for a moment those hazel orbs seemed slightly glassed over - an expression he rarely saw... no... with that much weight... he could not recall every seeing that one before.
As if he would forget such a look on her face.

He clicked his tongue, though in that moment she seemed to have regained the grip on herself - seemed to be calmer as her eyes closed. How did she manage to have such an inner strength? Without being a whim like him?

Another tongue click as her eyes snap back open, the wind pulling on both their uniforms and hair.
He was not surprised that Oukami-taichou was not looking at him though.

"What do you want me to tell you, then? Get to work?"

Xarath blinked his eyes in confusion while his eyebrows knitted together.

"P...pardon?" he asked her softly. "Why should I tell you something you already know?"
What the hell was he doing here? Backtalking? He really should not. Immediately Xarath clicked his tongue before he softly shook his head - his eyes still set on her form though. The sunlight... it still made her glow... and the gust that has developed now... it gave her an air of power... He swallowed heavily.
How could somebody like her ever accept him as Fukutaichou?

Two more tongue clicks.
"Ah." he started again. "It was not my intention to say anything." he finally explained. He really just wanted to check, never even thought of the possibility that he'd have to talk.
He shrugged.

"I already informed you that I am here because..." worry? No. "I wanted to make sure of your well-being. I am not here to place tasks onto your shoulders." Especially because she had to carry around enough already. "I am not lying." Hell, she probably would notice anyway if he was lying to her.
Not that he'd ever dare to... He could never show her that much disrespect.

She listened to every word he spoke intently, but her figure remained still...completely still. Not one muscle she had moved. She heard some form of backtalk. Finally, the kid was showing some spine.

Her eyes glistened as she stared up at the leaves. The trail of residue smoke had begun to block her sight of them, though. Her legs were still overlapping, her hands were still laying on her lap and her head was still tilted back. Her brown bangs now tingled down the sides of her neck. And then she heard his final words.

"I am not lying."

Just as he finishes speaking those last words, Ruby tilts her head down and peers at her now half-naked revolver. Her brown bangs brush her cheeks as they return to dangle on either side of her face. Her ponytail also returns to its normal disposition, no longer trapped between the bitch's head and the rough bark. Any emotion she had displayed before was now non-existent. Her facial features assimilate to grant her a blank disposition. She lifts her right hand once more, Jago still gripped and facing forward, and brings it a foot from her visage. She then lifts her left hand and grabs onto the left-half of the handle with her thumb and index finger. She pulls on it. That half dislodges. She then turns the weapon sideways and peers into the mechanical interior. She brings the dislodged handle down and places it on her lap. The steel screws tingle as they collide with the larger, rectangular part.

Rubianca then inhales smoke, the tip of her cig burning in response. "I know you're not lying, Xarath." Her tone was soft yet resolute. She pauses for a brief moment, still staring into her weapon and then continues. "You like piano, don't you?" Of course he did. She knew a lot about her Vice Captain...almost too much.

Calmly he watched her turn her attention back onto one of her guns. He clicked his tongue. Jago.
The conversation was over for him.

Though... should he just leave now? He'd imagine himself too much like a dog with its tail between its legs. No, whatever was left of his pride would not allow such a departure.
Besides... if he did that now she would never glance at him again.
He could not live with that much shame.

Twice more he clicked his tongue, though otherwise still stayed silent while watching her work. So throughout with everything she does.

"I know you're not lying, Xarath."

And he was perfectly aware that she knew. Though he did not mind her saying it out loud...
Tongue click.

With light confusion he watched her stop - why? And what's with her sudden change of voice? It too... was uncommon...

What was going on today?
Had something happened?

Immediately his expression became stern and his posture straighter. Indeed, it was not his business - but anything troubling his captain will be dealt with accordingly.
He'd make sure of that.

"You like piano, don't you?"

Xarath tried not to snort. Why was she being overly polite with him now? He was sure she already knew the answer to her question. Still...
He gave a sharp nod and clicked his tongue before answering her clearly.

"Love. I love the piano, Oukami-taichou."

He wanted to ask her why, though if she wanted him to know the reasons behind her question she would let him know anyway.
He'd just wait.

"Love. I love the piano, Oukami-taichou."

She smirks inwardly. Of course he does, but that's all she needed to hear.

Still looking at her revolver, which was now a foot from her face, Ruby continues with her dismantlement. She once more pushes on the thumb release, which was just to the left of the black hammer, causing the cylinder to unlatch to the left again. With the six chambers now empty, Ruby lifts her left hand and applies slight pressure onto the cylinder ejector. This causes the yoke to retract and the cylinder to dislodge and fall into her already opened left palm. Cylinder still in palm, the four side plate screws begin to unscrew by themselves. They all fall into her left palm as well. Cylinder and four screws still in palm, she clenches the side plate and pulls. The side plate releases, leaving the interior of the weapon bare. The inscription lifts with the plate. Cylinder, four screws and side plat still in her left palm, Rubianca then pulls on the hammer with her right thumb, roughly 1/4 of its total cock. Using her filled left hand, while the hammer is still cocked, Ruby slides the rebound slide, which is located directly behind the trigger and then pulls out the hammer completely.

With the weapon now mostly dismantled, Ruby uses her only vacant left hand finger to apply a slight pressure onto the trigger pin. It was the northernmost tip of the trigger. There. She takes a puff of her cig. As soon as the smoke escapes from her nostrils, the female Oukami begins to retrace her steps, re-mantling the fire-arm. And...done. Jago was now in full functioning form.

Her dismantling and re-mantling had spanned but six seconds. It had all happened in a flash. She knew Xarath would be able to keep up. The kid was fast...faster than even her. He had probably seen it all in slow motion. Her expression had remained blank the whole time.

With her left hand now pressed against the grass, which caused her in-viewable arm muscles to convulse, Ruby cocks her right hand wrist up. As she does so, Ruby lifts all of her fingers save the index, which was lodged within the trigger guard. This maneuver causes Jago to twirl rapidly, in backwards motion, around her staunch finger. It spun so fast that a normal eye would not be able to discern what it truly was.

She then halts its momentum, curls her right arm and holsters the steel fire-arm under her left arm-pit. In the blink of an eye, Ruby had stood up and was now walking calmly past Xarath. Her bangs and ponytail waver back and forth at every step. A trail of smoke and her haori tail behind her. Her sleeve covered arms wave back and forth.

"Let's go" she commands.

Silence filled the area once more. Though it was something he preferred. Actually, sitting here all day watching his captain work so delicately on her weapons... her partners... was not something he would mind at all.

It also was by far better than filling out paperwork... or doing nothing at all which happened when there was no paperwork left. Xarath clicked his tongue twice, before his attention turned back onto his captain, who was coming his way.

As imposing as ever.

Once more he bowed his head, waiting for her to tell him what to do.
He knew she would.

"Let's go"

He had been right.
Xarath clicked his tongue while swiftly standing up, pulling the left sleeve of his uniform back up his shoulder, which had been pushed off by the wind. Indeed, the soft breeze was gone - as was the content air that had surrounded her earlier. It almost seemed like nature was obeying her mood.
He would not really be surprised if that was the case.

Again he clicked his tongue as he finally turned around, following one step behind his captain.

She took her sweet time. Lifting, pushing and then stepping one foot after the other, Ruby traveled blissfully under the cover of the crimson Fullmoon leaves. They rustled against each other as the wind blew and swept back and forth.

Ruby's bodily movements followed her peaceful tempo. Her long-sleeved haori trailed behind her calves, just a foot out. Her bangs and ponytail swirled left and right, depending on the direction of the gusts. Her bangs and ponytail would resemble waving fingers within the control of the wind. Her lit cig emitted a seemingly thin yet consistent tail of smoke, which hovered past over her left shoulder. Her expression was completely blank. She blinks twice as they both pass under the final Fullmoon Maple just twenty meters from the Garden's entrance.

Why was she like this today? Ruby herself didn't know. She felt like something wasn't right...

Xarath Shiru was a person, who rarely paid attention to his surroundings. Indeed, he too had noticed the beauty of the Fullmoon Maple garden, how could he not, though the actions of humans usually interested him by far more.

Oukami-taichou was currently giving him no chance at all to read her though and he surely would not show disrespect by suddenly walking beside her, or even worse, walking in front of her.
Gawking at her.

No, such behavior was merely disgusting. Xarath clicked his tongue twice, though otherwise still calmly following his captain, wondering where they were heading now. Most likely the office of 5th, and yet...

Somehow everything seemed different. Indeed, the day started rather normal for him. Hell, he kept his daily routine.
She did not.
Why not?
And that heaviness that had settled around her just a moment ago? Well it certainly was gone now, she actually seemed to give off an air of contentment once more.
That was also unusual.

Another tongue click.
He needed to inform somebody to check what had happened to his captain the moment she woke up. And heaven have mercy on the person who dared to trouble her.
Two tongue clicks.
In the meantime he'd have to keep an eye on her.
Or both.
Tongue click.

They had exited the Garden and had turned right onto the path that lead to the 5th Division grounds. Ruby at the head and Xarath in pursuit. It hadn't taken them long to reach their sanctum, for the Fullmoon Maple Garden rested not far from the Division. Interestingly, it had been Ruby whom had transformed the previously stale area from gray to garden. She had planted the trees herself.

They had arrived at the gates of 5th. As the female Oukami nears, the gate begins to whine as it parts for its master. She doesn't hesitate and continues to walk. She walks through the large and still swinging gate, which swung backward. Her shoulders barely make it through the small opening. She wouldn't wait for a slab of stone. No. The stone would wait for her.

Not waiting to be graced with Xarath's actions, Ruby continues on, slowly but surely, towards her Office. Nothing of her previous blank disposition had changed.

As expected Xarath still continued to follow the woman, his posture as calm as ever though his eyes hard and thoughtful.
It really seemed like they were simply heading back to 5th. If she just wanted to have some calm she could have ordered him to leave.

Xarath clicked his tongue, watching as the gate in front of them opened, cringing at the noise of it.
She was the only one who passed though.
Before he could take another step forward he had to take a step back in order to avoid being hit by the metal.
His captain merely walked on.

Xarath sighed heavily as his eyes closed and he decided to rest his forehead against the cool metal for a moment.
She really had to loath him. Tongue click. She would not even bother to spit on his corpse.
Once more Xarath clicked his tongue, before taking another step back, his hands wrapping against the cool metal as he pulled the gate open himself. He would not bother asking one of those guards, if they were lucky he would decide to not bite open their disgusting throats later.

Once the gate opened wide enough for his slim form to fit through did he step onto the wide court of 5th Division - the gate slapping shut with a 'bang' behind him. Another shudder ran through him at the noise - though his eyes once more settled onto the back of Oukami-taichou.

Always annoyed, always scoffing... and in the end she just walked on without him.
At least she had no trouble showing him just what kind of bad dog he actually was.

Xarath clicked his tongue twice as he started to set his body into motion again - once more following behind the woman.

From where she had stood, the usual loudness of the slamming gate was but a feint thud. She had walked through the Tribunal's entrance. The Tribunal, as she called it, was a large edifice that housed her Office, Xarath's Office, the Hound's Den and the Vault of Wisdom. It spanned roughly over 100,000 square feet.

As she passes by many of her subordinates, Ruby simply nods subtly in their recognition. Otherwise, her blankness remains. Her smoke was now half burnt and lay clenched between her soft lips. She stops in front of her Office's door.

As if by its own accord, the steel door slides open to the right. Inside, her Office was pitch black save for one tiny lit candle. The darkness seemed to escape the now open doorway out into the slightly brighter hallway. The Tribunal was typically quite dimly lit as well.

She walks into her Office. Her figure disappears into the blackness.

Unlike Oukami-taichou Xarath did not bother to greet any of the Shinigami they crossed paths with.
He did not feel like it.

Another tongue click as he too, stepped in front of her office. Unlike her he did not enter though - he would not do so until invited.
Though currently she did not give off any intention of telling him what to do.

Two could play that game.
He clicked his tongue once more, standing in front of the open door, no intention to move anywhere.

Seconds after traversing into the blackness, Ruby's eyesight adjusts to the appropriate wavelength. She could now discern what moments before was non-existent.

Her office was quite large, roughly 3,000 square feet. Lined from floor to ceiling, every inch of every wall, lay thousands of texts entrenched within shelves. These writings spoke of a myriad of topics, but most notably of Intelligence and its predated history. At the far end of this spacious room parallel to the entryway, where the single lit candle stood erect, lay her large, gold encrusted desk. One could barely observe what lay atop of it save for the candle. It was that dark.

Just to the left of her desk, maybe five feet in distance, stood on four pegs her fine, jet-black grand piano. It was a magnificent instrument, one of antique architecture, which she had personally build from scratch. In the pitch darkness, Ruby's eyes had locked onto the harmonious beauty the moment she had entered. She now moved towards the piano, her movements gentle yet determined. Oh yes, she would play like she had played that one...

She closes her eyes as her knees halt inches from the mahogany piano bench. Her cig still within the confines of her lips and her eyes still closed, Ruby's shoulders rise and muscles tense as she pulls her left arm back, retracting it from the cover of her left haori sleeve. Just as her left hand fingers escape the pocket, her Captain's cape wrinkles and sweeps downward in an arc to her right backside. She then grabs the right sleeve with her now vacant left hand and pulls out her right arm. Right sleeve still gripped, Rubianca swings her left arm diagonally west and releases her fingers. The white coat glides through the air and lands atop an ornate chair not far from her current position.

She opens her eyes and walks around the bench. Ruby then plops her bottom at the center of the mahogany stool and raises her arms. Her hands land on the white and black teeth of the instrument, but gently so as to not disrespect its grandness. Her large, black tattoo was now visible due to her sleeveless kimono.

She tilts her head down slightly and closes her eyes. Her brown bangs dangle just inches from her eyes and her ponytail's tip rises slightly in response. The trail of smoke was now also visible.

And then, she begins to play the first melody of many.

OOC: (This is the first song she plays. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-Y7trsjKxw)

Silently Xarath watched his captain walk further into the office, by now his own eyes used enough to the darkness to see her and more of the room. His captain's heavy desk was by far wider than his own, which was free of designs and did look rather plain. Though her shelves were just as filled as his own were - as Fukutaichou, especially of 5th, one could not lag behind on information. He had to be up to date. Always.
And he preferred it that way.

Still standing where he was he only followed the woman with his eyes - before they settled on the piano. No words could praise it, at least in his opinion... and by the looks of it Oukami-taichou would start playing it very soon.

Xarath clicked his tongue twice, wondering what the hell was going on here. Why had she wanted him to follow, if she merely kicked him out again. Or did she ask something she already knew to... invite him to listen? Why would she do that? He would have thought somebody like him would only destroy her fun. She had also never let him know if he was allowed to enter her office... or hell... how she left him standing behind... she probably already wanted to get rid of him at the gates.

Xarath lowered his head, stands of his free hair tickling his cheeks as he did so, while clicking his tongue three times. Before he could ask her though if he was supposed to leave she already started to play.

He perfectly well knew that piece, had often enough listened to it with his eyes closed... in his office... while she played here. It was different standing so close to the beautiful sound, without it being numbed by the walls. Xarath clicked his tongue once more... such a heavy piece. It pulled on his heart strings as he was sure it was pulling on hers.
He could not just ruin her moment.

Xarath swallowed heavily, out of his own egoistical enjoyment leaving the door open as he turned on his heels, sidestepping until he was to the left of it, leaning his upper body against the wall outside of the office. There he could take this moment for himself, without ruining hers.

Slowly he slit down the wall, clicking his tongue twice as his bottom came in contact with the hard, wooden floor, drawing his knees to his chest - his arms wrapping around them. Then he leaned his head backwards and closed his eyes, fully concentrating on the beautiful melody.

To him it was like Oukami-taichou was telling him a story.
And he was more than willing to listen.

Ruby's heart had swayed her mood. It had instilled images of her childhood into her mind and seemingly in response, her fingers had begun to play a melody of their own desire. They had transformed her soul into the sounds of bliss. Still shrouded in darkness, her figure remains erect. Her back straight and muscles convulsed, Ruby's fingers continue to violate the sanctity of the piano. Her eyes were still closed.

And just as quick as Flash Step, Ruby's soul sways in another direction. A more joyous one. Her brows rise slightly and so does the right side of her clenched gape. Her mind is filled with those she holds dear, with Gen, Ikki...and Xarath. As if unintentionally, the female Oukami's short-nailed tendrils move from the previous, darker melody to one of more content.

OOC: (New song is as follows. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnZJNFb8xH8)

Twice Xarath noticed the presence of Shinigami trying to walk down the corridor, but who turned around and walked off somewhere else once hearing the sound of the piano. He couldn't care less where they were heading to now, all that mattered was the melody - which set him in a mood of melancholy. Merely seconds after that Xarath stopped noting anything around him - his whole world turning now around the instrument and his captain playing it so intensely.

Not even as she changed the melody, told him another tale, was he pulled out of his daze.