Chapter 46: Chapter 46: Captain's Meeting?
The grand hall of the First Division was bathed in a soft, golden light as the captains of the Gotei 13 assembled for what was ostensibly a "captain's meeting."
However, Yoruichi, newly minted as the captain of the 2nd Division, quickly realized that this gathering was not what she had expected.
Rather than tense discussions of missions or grave decisions about the balance between realms, the captains had settled around a long table, sipping tea, chatting quietly, and exchanging stories.
To Yoruichi's shock, Yamamoto, the imposing Captain-Commander, had not launched into any speech or issued dire orders.
He sat at the head of the table, sipping tea, looking every bit the picture of peace as he surveyed the gathering of captains. Seijirou, seated across from her, raised an eyebrow, clearly aware of her surprise.
His faint, knowing smile only made her curiosity burn hotter.
"Not what you expected, Captain Shihouin?" Shunsui Kyoraku of the 8th Division teased, tilting his wide-brimmed straw hat down with a grin. "Afternoon teas aren't exactly advertised in the job description, are they?"
Yoruichi gave a small laugh, recovering her composure. "I didn't realize these meetings were so… laid-back."
"Ah, you'll get used to it," said Isshin Shiba, the lively 10th Division captain, leaning back with a chuckle. "Half the time we're called to 'meet' like this, it's just to escape the mountain of paperwork and the constant demands of our divisions."
Yoruichi stole a glance at Yamamoto, expecting some sort of reprimand, but he merely grunted, finishing his tea without comment.
She could hardly believe it. The Captain-Commander was indulging in an afternoon of respite just as much as the rest of them.
As she took in the room, Yoruichi noticed Unohana, the serene captain of the 4th Division, quietly pouring tea for everyone with a soft smile.
Ukitake of the 13th Division, looking a little pale but cheerful, thanked her graciously, while Kensei Mugurama of the 9th Division impatiently drummed his fingers on the table, clearly uninterested in the tea but willing to play along for now.
The gentle lull of conversation continued, drifting from topic to topic, until the focus shifted to the newest members of their group: Yoruichi and Seijirou.
"I heard an interesting little rumor floating around the barracks," Shunsui began with a mischievous smirk, his gaze flickering between Yoruichi and Seijirou. "Seems the 2nd and 3rd Divisions have been working… very closely together recently."
Seijirou, who had been quietly sipping his tea, raised an eyebrow, glancing over at Yoruichi.
She stifled a laugh, but her cheeks warmed slightly as a wave of knowing looks swept across the table.
"'Closely together' is putting it lightly," added Love Aikawa, the captain of the 7th Division, who leaned in with a grin. "If the rumors are to be believed, I'd say the two of you have gotten...'connected'."
Seijirou's expression remained composed, though he gave Love a sharp look.
"Is there a reason my personal life is today's entertainment?" he asked calmly, his voice carrying a note of warning.
"Aw, come on, Kageyama," Isshin chimed in, his grin widening. "You're among friends. No harm in a little light-hearted teasing, right? Besides, it's not every day we get to see you… well, let's just say we didn't expect to see you 'taken.'"
Even Unohana, usually so serene and focused, covered her mouth politely, a twinkle in her eyes as she regarded Seijirou and Yoruichi.
"It's nice to see such camaraderie between divisions," she said smoothly, though the hint of amusement was unmistakable.
Yoruichi tried to keep her composure, but the amused glances and knowing smirks from her fellow captains made it nearly impossible.
She had anticipated a certain amount of ribbing, but not like this—not a full-scale onslaught from nearly every captain in the Gotei 13.
Shinji Hirako, the impish captain of the 5th Division, leaned forward, a devilish grin on his face.
"What I want to know is, how did two people as serious as Kageyama and Shihouin manage to relax enough to make it happen? I mean, with the way they both carry themselves, you'd think they'd be more interested in sparring than… socializing."
"Oh, they 'sparred' alright." Shunsui wiggled his eyebrows.
That earned a chorus of laughter from around the table, with even Ukitake chuckling softly, his pale face brightening at the rare camaraderie.
Yoruichi finally gave in, shaking her head with a smirk. "If I knew this is what the captain's meetings were like, I would have mentally prepared myself."
"You're just lucky this is all we're grilling you about," Kiganjo Kenpachi, the rough-edged 11th Division captain, added with a hearty laugh. "You should hear the things people were saying when I first took over the 11th Division. This is nothing."
Shunsui leaned back with a grin. "Ah, but Yoruichi and Seijirou have a special appeal—captains from two stealth-based divisions with a bit of a… connection. It's practically destined for gossip."
Seijirou let out a low sigh, resisting the urge to glare at Shunsui. "I wasn't aware my relationship status was so interesting."
"Oh, but it is," Kirio Hikifone, the lively captain of the 12th Division, chimed in, her eyes dancing with mischief. "You've always been the picture of discipline and reserve, Seijirou. This is the most human any of us have ever seen you look!"
Seijirou's composure faltered for a moment, and he ran a hand over his face, choosing his words carefully. "I fail to see how this is relevant to our duties as captains."
"Oh, come on now," Shunsui insisted, raising his tea in a mock toast. "It's good to see you and Yoruichi finding some joy in this job. We're captains, sure, but we're also people. It's important to remember that."
Ginrei Kuchiki, the stoic captain of the 6th Division, cleared his throat. "Kyoraku has a point, surprisingly."
He cast Seijirou a pointed look. "Even the most reserved among us should appreciate the companionship we find along the way, as long as it does not affect one's duties."
Kensei rolled his eyes, grumbling, "Alright, enough with the philosophy lesson. Let's just say we're all happy for you two, whether you like it or not."
As more laughter filled the room, Yoruichi looked over at Seijirou, catching his eye. His expression was a mix of amusement and resignation, his normally stoic mask softened by a slight smirk.
Despite the relentless teasing, there was something heartwarming about the scene. In a world filled with constant battles, responsibilities, and challenges, moments like this were rare.
The conversation eventually drifted to lighter topics, from tales of mishaps within their divisions to stories of past escapades. Yamamoto, while mostly silent, allowed the captains their banter, only intervening occasionally to keep the conversation on track.
As they enjoyed the tea and camaraderie, Yoruichi leaned closer to Seijirou, keeping her voice low. "I think we'll be hearing about this for a while."
Seijirou gave a slight nod, his eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and frustration. "I expected as much. But… I suppose it could be worse."
"Oh?" she replied, raising an eyebrow. "What's worse than the entire Gotei 13 knowing about our… activities?"
Seijirou's smirk deepened. "Having to explain it to the Captain-Commander, for one."
Yoruichi's eyes widened slightly, her gaze flicking to Yamamoto, who was calmly finishing his tea. "I'd rather not, thank you very much."
Seijirou stifled a chuckle, lowering his gaze. "Agreed."
As the afternoon wore on, the captains continued to share stories and laughter, each taking a moment to unwind from the weight of their duties.
For Yoruichi and Seijirou, it was a reminder that, despite the rigorous expectations and constant vigilance required of them, there was room for lightheartedness and even a little romance.
And as the meeting wound down, with Yamamoto finally calling for their dismissal, the two of them exchanged a final glance, a silent promise shared between them.
They would face whatever came next—be it challenges, duties, or more teasing—together, each as determined and resolute as ever.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone