Red Head Rising [Closed]

The main courtyard of the Sixth Division barracks was usually pretty full, but it wasn't today. The only reason Erina ever stepped foot in this area was because of how many people were usually around. With so many eyes watching, the bullying and humiliation that she was subject to while surrounded by small groups of her squad-mates ceased. She needed to get the information on her weekly duties, otherwise she wouldn't have chanced this. She received her paperwork and was looking through the file when it was suddenly smacked from her hand. She looked up in annoyance at one of the common offenders, Genji Rikudo. He just smiled at her and looked down to the mess on the floor. "Go on, Quincy, pick it up." Erina rolled her eyes and looked over to those accompanying him, Arisa Date and Rin Goguro. They also enjoyed messing with her, but only if they were following Genji's lead.

"Go away, Genji." Erina told him as she leaned down to pick up the file, sliding the papers neatly back inside. "That's no way to treat your peers. Oh, right. You're not really a Shinigami, are you?" Genji reached toward her and she immediately smacked his hand away. "You keep your hands off me." Erina pushed him away and hurried passed the three as they laughed at her reaction. She didn't get far as her hair was tugged and Arisa pulled her back. "Hey, that was rude. Thought Quincy were more polite than that." Erina was pulled back and thrown into Rin, who attempted to hold her still. "Let me go!" Erina yelled, turned to him, and kneed Rin in the groin before running off, "I said keep your filthy hands off me!" With the file hugged close to her body, Erina rushed away from the courtyard. "Stupid bitch." Rin buckled over in pain, trying to catch his breath after having the wind knocked out of him.

"Are you okay?" Arisa asked, chuckling at him. "The bitch kneed my balls. What do you think? After her, damn it!" Rin stood and chased after Erina. Arisa and Genji both followed, but had no problem expressing whether they had the ability to catch someone like Erina in the first place. When they made it to the first crossing, Arisa spotted Erina sitting on the floor with her back against one of the walls. She was rubbing at her ankle. "There she is. Looks like she fell." Arisa said and they all hurried over. Before Erina was aware enough to try and run, she felt her hair being tugged at again. "You think you have the right to strike the manhood and run off?! You're going to pay for that." Rin shouted and tugged harder. "You deserved it!" Erina tried pulling away. Genji joined in by grabbing the back of her shihakusho and pulling her to her feet. "No man deserves that." "I'll tell you the next time I see one."

Erina may have been out numbered, but she wasn't weak. She preferred to avoid needless violence and didn't like any sort of confrontation within her Division. However, she was not going to sit back and take it like a bitch. She fought back and tossed a few insults when she felt the need to. The two males seemed to be a little peeved at the man comment and moved in a little closer. "You implying we ain't men!?" Erina went to step back, but the wall prevented any movement coming from her. She felt like things were about to get a lot worse when the three were all forced into submissive positions, looking like they had been arrested. Erina took a step off to the side, but the pressure she put on her ankle caused her to fall. She sat there as what happened registered. "Sai?" she mumbled out loud and then her mind came into more focus. She could sense him behind her and looked back.

"Lieutenant Jehanna...?" she raised an eyebrow. Did he seriously just make an appearance to rescue her from these cretons? Erina saw that Captain-like look in his eyes, but there was something she had to do. She crawled over to Genji, who was grunting in anger as he attempted to fight against a Kidō he would never be able to break. "Yeah! You see that? There is one. Right there, Genji." Erina yelled in his face, pointing at Lieutenant Jehanna, "That is what a real man acts like, you jerk!" Erina moved away again and leaned her back against a wall, going back to massaging her now swollen ankle. "That's just great..." she muttered and then looked back to her Lieutenant. The look on his face was startling. She tried to keep some sort of eye contact, but it was a little difficult. "I'm sorry Lieutenant Jehanna... I didn't mean to cause a ruckus of any sort." Erina looked away from him and glared at Genji.

"L-Lieutenant! Wh-What are you doing? Do you mind letting us go? This is terribly uncomfortable." Arisa said kindly, her tone filled with an innocence it did not deserve. Erina heard that tripe and looked disgusted. "Hey, Lieutenant. Sorry about that! We were just messin' with her, honest!" "I wasn't! She kneed me in the groin for no reason, Lieutenant! She started this shit. It's her fault any of this happened!" Erina glared at them and turned her head away. "Whatever." She then looked hopefully up to Joshua, praying he didn't believe their claims. It was three against one, so it was possible he would.

Eight eyes widened in fear in that moment. The idea of being reprimanded by the Captain was horrible to most of the Sixth Division. With how the Captain was, Erina didn't know whether she would be in trouble too. She stayed silent as the Lieutenant went on punishing the rest. The punishments were perfect and Erina couldn't help but smirk. "No, not the Eleventh Division! Come on, Lieutenant! Those guys are just addicted to fighting. I wouldn't survive in that place with those brutes!" Genji practically begged, revealing his true cowardly personality, "I'll clean it up, but the guard too!? Messing with Erina isn't that big of a deal! That's not fair!" Genji hurried off as the other two received their punishments as well. Erina was shocked at the gull Genji had to talk back to the Lieutenant like that. After Joshua replied, Genji would run off to complete all of his duties as he had been instructed.

The other two received their punishments without complaint in fear of making things worse for themselves. Once they were able to, they ran off as well, having no problem shooting a glare toward Erina before they left. Erina narrowed her eyes at them and then sighed, hoping it was over. She was standing up when the Lieutenant turned to her and said they were going to talk to the Captain. Erina's eyes widened and she hissed in pain as she accidentally put too much pressure down on her likely sprained ankle. "Shit, shit, shit..." She clenched her jaw and then looked pleadingly back to Joshua, "Do we have to, Lieutenant? I swear I won't knee him again, but he was the one who grabbed onto me! Why am I in trouble?! And why am I getting the worst punishment when you know I didn't start it?"

Erina would have preferred the others not be there to see her get punished as well. It was embarrassing. Erina jumped when he glared at her. She shut up and nodded. "Yes, Lieutenant. I apologize." Erina lowered her head and stayed silent. Erina kept her head lowered as the other three were dismissed. They all shot their glares, though Genji couldn't help but smirk, knowing that Erina got the shitty end of the deal here. Once the three were gone, Erina followed her Lieutenant. Her stomach was in knots with how nervous she was. When she looked up and realized where they were, she was confused. She ended up following Joshua to his office and the confusion was plastered over her face. She closed the door like he asked and then stood silent. When he apologized, Erina slowly and slightly tilted her head to the side, staring at him with a 'what the fuck is going on' expression until she got it.

Erina's moment of realization appeared on her face quickly and she put her hand over her stomach as she took a deep breath. "Oh." she said quietly, almost forced. She let out her held breath a few moments later and sat down in the free chair. "Okay, Lieutenant. You scared me. That was mean. Oh my that was mean." She relaxed in the chair and closed her eyes, "But thank you. I really thought you were going to turn me into the Captain. I would have taken back my man comment."

Wait, what? Did that really just happen? Did her Lieutenant just wink at her? Was her Lieutenant a fucking flirt?! She blinked rapidly in disbelief, but after relaxed from his explanation. She glanced him up and down, checking him out quickly before leaning back in her chair to think on his explanation. "I guess it would have." she said and smiled lightly, "Well, thank you again and I'll make sure to keep it between us. I'd rather it not get out if it'll just make things worse." Erina had it bad enough. Genji and his lackeys were among the worst offenders, but they weren't the only ones.

"How long? Well... Since my application for the Third Seat promotion..." Erina pushed herself back in the chair and brought her knees up to her chest, setting her chin on them, "Ever since people found out about my Zanpakutō's shikai, they've decided it's their job to humiliate me on a daily basis. I can't count the amount of times I've been called a 'wannabe Quincy'. I can defend myself against one and possibly two of them, but most of the time they have four or five. I was just lucky it was Genji and those morons this time. Honestly, our tenth seat isn't too much of a problem. It's being outnumbered."

Erina shook her head. "I don't feel comfortable going to another Division for training. I can't even trust the members within my own to not be cruel. The idea of possibly letting others know about what I am is horrifying... Besides that, I don't have trouble with them because they're that many; it's because I try not to hurt them in the process. If I fully fought back, Captain Saionji would probably scold me and I'm not up for having a reputation of hurting my own Division members." Erina wasn't a very violent person, so harming others wasn't at the top of her list. Also, who would chance being scolded by J Saionji? That isn't something anyone within the Sixth enjoyed experiencing.

Erina tilted her head at Joshua. "What do you mean?" she asked and then realized, "Oh... Right. Honestly, I wouldn't be shocked if they feel like me being in the Division is an insult to what the Squad is supposed to stand for. I doubt the meaning of that is just being a nice person, otherwise I don't think Captain Saionji would be our Cap-..." Erina caught herself before she fully spoke that and looked to Joshua with wide eyes, "That was a stupid slip. Please say nothing about it... I was just trying to explain that just being a nice person doesn't seem like the "Face of the Gotei" mission... It's probably about emulating the ideal Shinigami and the Quincy-likeness I have does not." The Lieutenants apology didn't feel needed, but she nodded in acceptance anyway. "It's okay... It's not like it's your fault. I doubt any of them will straighten up. I don't know how to make them. I tried the nice approach and the mean approach... After a while, I just started avoiding the members of our Division. I thought of transferring too, but I doubt any other Division would take me any differently than here."

"Maybe that's not a bad idea then. I might do that." Erina thought about what it would be like to watch a Captain fight. She hadn't been able to in all of her years in the Gotei 13. She actually didn't remember seeing a Lieutenant really fight either, so when the thought crossed her mind, she looked curiously at Joshua and then decided to ask him another time. His explanation on the "Face of the Gotei" was spot on. She understood where he was coming from better and nodded along in agreement. "I guess that's where we learn from our superiors." Erina replied kindly, "I don't see anyone growing as a person on their own, especially not any of the three of them. They'll need some sort of guidance... I wonder if defeating them in battle would help me win their respect... Even if it's just a little."

Joshua continued on and mentioned Genji again. Erina's jaw dropped. She put a hand over her mouth as she laughed at what Joshua said. "Well, make sure I never play a hand of cards with you. I'd rather not be cheated out of my money." Erina winked playfully at him and her smile faded, "Oh, right... I was going to ask you something. Actually, I want to ask you a few things. When was the last time you fought or been on a hard mission? Do you ever train your subordinates? And why the living hell is it so hard to find you? I've searched for you before, but you're never anywhere until you're there randomly."

Joshua's answers were pretty much how she expected them. She stayed silent and took note of them as he went on. She had little to nothing to say about most of his answer until he came to a certain point. Erina raised an eyebrow. "Those rumors about your power are stupid and likely made by jealous individuals who know better..." Erina shrugged and crossed her arms, "I highly doubt the our Captain Commander and Captain Saionji would have allowed you into a position that you're not suited for. To doubt your skill is to doubt the decisions of our superiors... So I have no doubt in your ability at all."

Her attention came back to Joshua when he continued with her questions. Something he said brought on a certain thought process, but she suppressed it as he continued on with the final question. His answer was beyond entertaining. Erina blinked a couple times, her face frozen in an open mouthed half-smile as he explained. "Napping?" she repeated for confirmation and then giggled like crazy, "You're serious? You avoid everyone to nap? I almost can't believe that. I thought you'd be off training, partying, or just avoiding Captain Saionji, but you're just napping? That's... odd. Funny, but odd."

So it was her turn to be asked questions. "It's difficult to find someone to train me. I can find someone to spar with because they think they can destroy the Quincy, but my shikai makes it extremely difficult otherwise. When I asked for archery sets and a place to practice, the amount of shocked and disgusted looks I got was startling." Erina looked away and rolled her eyes, "Everything I've done to get better has been on my own." Erina was proud of her accomplishment, but obviously frustrated as well. Her journey has been difficult and there isn't really anyone she could ask to make it easier on herself.

"A real fight..." she repeated as she thought back, "It's been almost too long. I could use a bit more experience in that area. Lately, I've only dealt with minor hollow. I did run into a single Menos Grande, but..." Erina pointed to her Zanpakutō, "The range gives me quite the advantage." His final question came by surprise. When he originally asked it, her mind ran over it and went to answer the others. When she finally came to it, she tilted her head and stared at him. "Did you just ask me out?" What a flirt... She thought for a moment and just nodded. She needed someone to talk to for once.

"Um... Yeah. You know what? Why not. It could be fun and I'd like a bit more... social activity."

That was surprising. All she received in return was a nod? It wasn't every day you got asked out by your Lieutenant, but maybe it wasn't a big deal for him? With the way he was so far, he was probably just being nice, or got caught up in his flirting. Erina brushed it off and the conversation continued on. "I see combat a bit differently than you, I think..." she spoke softly, "Honestly, I don't know what I'm looking for. I feel like experience is important, but I'd rather avoid fighting all together. I don't like violence, or conflict at all. I don't know if I'm weaker or stronger for thinking that way, but it's how I feel. If you don't have to fight, don't go looking for it. If you happen across it, fine. If you see a hollow or an Arrancar, do what you need to do, but don't search for the danger. Don't search for a fight... Of course, I have a feeling I'm talking about combat out on the job, while you're talking a sparring match. I don't know... I guess the truth is that I am afraid of fighting, so my rambling was just an excuse."

"I consider my standing in the Division as just being Third Seat. I don't need anything more or less. If we can put the bastard up there for me to have a little target practice, I'll happily tell him I didn't mean to hit the leg... or the arm." Erina chuckled a bit, "No, I wouldn't do that. He'll avoid me for a while now that you know about everything. The rest will as well. I have no doubt the news is being spread through the squad as we speak. I just hope it doesn't cause you too much trouble. I doubt it, since you're the hide and seek master in our Division, but it's possible." Erina raised an eyebrow at him, "So about our date... When and where exactly? You don't ask a girl out and then change the subject like that... Unless of course you didn't mean it." Erina's face dulled and she stared at him.

"A flow to them?" Erina raised an eyebrow. What was he getting at? While he explained, she kept a half-smile on her face. He was an interesting man, to say the least. "Hidden places and quiet spaces..." Erina mentally repeated, "Someone has a way with his words." One thing Erina could tell about her Lieutenant is that he was pretty smooth. He was a good looking guy that knew his way around a conversation and was easily able to keep her interested. He began looking through his desk and she kept staring at him. After a moment of silence, she sat up and leaned over his desk, placing her chin in her hand. "For someone who spends most of his time hidden from everyone, you know you way around a conversation." she said with a kind smile, "So do you ask all the girls out or am I some how special? I don't think you do, but it feels a little egotistical of me to think I got that privilege after a single conversation, you know? I mean... I am glad to be asked, especially by you. It's flattering, but... why?"

Hmph. Well wasn't that a blow to the ego, as if Erina had one in the first place. She had given him the benefit of the doubt and he proved her wrong. She shrugged it off. "I don't exactly listen to the rumors and since you vanish so often, I usually assume that most of them are fake. Going around and asking out girls that often just to be turned down..." Erina raised her eyebrow in disbelief, "That just doesn't sound right when it comes to a Lieutenant... Not only are you pretty good looking, but you're skilled, and powerful... Either you're worse at flirting normally than you have been here, or the girls you ask out have a few problems." Erina raised a playfully suspicious eyebrow at him and then chuckled.

"Thank you. I'd enjoy getting to know you as well; I want someone in my own Division to like me." Erina sighed and then straightened up. She nodded to his final question and smiled, "Yes, I'm interested. I feel I must ask whether this is going to be the romantic type date or the friendship type though? In other words, should I take the time to get myself all dressed up or is a more casual thing preferred? I'd rather not do the normal girly thing and freak out over something that's not intended."

"So you're a nice guy. Okay then. I did kind of expect that." Erina nodded and casually shrugged it off, "I meant no offense by it and I didn't mean to imply you'd do such a thing. However, I'm sure many people recognize you, even if it's just by being the Lieutenant with the red hair." Erina's smile widened when he put it halfway in between. "I'm curious on what you'll think up." Erina giggled when he offered a time. "You're not very precise at all, are you? I'm free almost every day, so yes. Some time next week will be good." Erina twisted back and forth in her chair with an eager smile.

"It's kind of exciting for me. I haven't had plans with anyone for so long, let alone a man. I am probably going to end up overthinking everything and making a fool out of myself. Just talking about it makes me nervous. Mmmm..." Erina whined and placed both hands on her blushing cheeks. Her mind was going a mile a minute. "I already feel like a fool, blushing like this." Erina covered her whole face with her hands, speaking through them. "Hehehe. I can't wait!" Erina stood up and put her hands behind her back, ready to leave him be. "Thank you, Lieutenant. Did you need me for anything else?"