Someday Never Comes [Closed]

Kaminari had only recently returned to duty as the Head Captain of the Gotei Thirteen. It was difficult. She could still feel some of the weakening side effects of that poison Lasciel forced into her system. There was no more spasms and no pain, but she was still weak and did need to recover. Stubborn as a mule, Kaminari refused to take time off and returned to work about a week ago. She caught up on a few pieces of paperwork that her Lieutenant had no authority to sign, did a few training exercises to re-strengthen herself, and was resting at any time she felt it was okay, but that wasn't often. And today, a subject she knew needed to be taken care of was currently being called into the office.

As she waited for Kei to arrive, Kaminari made her way over to one of the couches that made the layout of her office. She modernized the place a bit more. She kept with blacks and whites, heavy desks, and comfortable seating. It may not have been what any other Captain would prefer, but she had gotten a few compliments on it. Kaminari thought that other Shinigami enjoyed sitting on the comfortable couches instead of old, wooden, or hard chairs. She laid back on one of them and closed her eyes. Her breathing began to calm and her mind slowly faded away, but that was stopped. She heard the door and her eyes calmly opened and shifted over to see Kei come in. "I'm over here."

Kaminari let out a soft sigh, obviously still on the weaker side from before, but definitely much better. Kaminari just watched Kei for a bit as the shy girl stood in her office. She looked toward the gift that Kei had and blinked a couple times, wondering what that was. Once Kei set it down on her desk, Kaminari sat up in the couch and motioned for Kei to sit down on the opposite side. Kaminari did not stay seated though; she walked over to the gift and opened it up, taking her time. Her hands were a little shaky at moments, as if she were having a hard time, but she wasn't. It was just another one of the damn side effects. Once she got the gift opened, Kaminari could only smile, "Thank you, Kei."

Kaminari set it down on the desk and had it facing the couches they would be sitting on and had the card leaning up against it. "It's adorable." she added as she turned back to the couch and sat down again. For a moment, she realized that even her own boyfriend hadn't bought her a get well present! Hmph. So concentrated on flattening the Seireitei with his Reiatsu, he forgot. Rude. "Kei, I'm sure you know what I've asked you here." Kaminari said. She just seemed so tired, like she just wanted to sleep. "You demonstrated bankai in Hueco Mundo. As you know, bankai opens up quite a few options for you..." she picked up a file that was on the table, "Kei... Would you like to become a Captain?"

"I... must decline, unless you insist." "I'm not going to force you into a position like that." Kaminari immediately replied. Kei wasn't the type to do well under that much pressure. She was shy and a little fragile. Forcing her into a situation like being a Captain was only going to break her. When Kei asked to stay in her current position, Kaminari closed her eyes. After a few moments, she just shook her head no. "I'm sorry, Kei... I can't allow that." Kaminari said with a sigh, "As you know... Those with bankai are at the level of Captain. I won't ever force someone into a position as heavy as that if they don't want it or are not ready... but I cannot allow you to stay as merely a third seat. If you are the level of a Captain, Lieutenant is the lowest I can and will allow. It will give you access to different aspects of the Seireitei, along with giving you the missions that you have the skill and power to actually complete."

"If I allowed you to merely stay a third seat, someone else would not be allowed to show their true potential and likely be stuck in a position lower than they deserve." Kaminari knew that this isn't something that Kei wanted, but it wouldn't go well if Kei kept hiding her ability. She won't force Captaincy because of the amount of responsibility, but she was going to push her into being a Lieutenant. Kaminari also hoped that this would raise Kei's confidence in herself. Having people look up to you is something that could do that. "So... Is there a squad that you would like to be the Lieutenant of? One with an open position?" Kaminari added that last bit on in a way to say that Kei could not knock Toja out of his spot. She had to choose a squad that needed someone like her there, nothing less than that. "There are a couple I can likely suggest... if that would make you feel better about it." she added.

Kaminari could see the fear Kei was trying to hide. Kaminari was unaware of Kei's deeper feelings, but she knew that Kei wanted to stick around Division One. It was just not plausible at this point. "Kei..." Kaminari spoke up, keeping her tone serious and truthful, "You're going to be fine. There is nothing that you need to be afraid of. It's not like the people of Division One are going anywhere. If you ever needed us, any of us, including me, all you have to do is take a walk and knock on our doors." Kaminari didn't know if that would help at all, but it was all true. She wasn't going to vanish, neither were any of Kei's friends. If she needed help or someone to talk to, they'd all be there for her.

Kaminari took a moment to think about Kei's question on trusting some of the other Captain's. If it were a general question, she'd be pointing toward the door in a minute or two. Yeah, she could sense him coming. "That depends, Kei. What do you want me to trust them for?" she asked, rubbing the back of her head in slight confusion, "I trust Captain Hayashi of Squad Four to be kind and passionate. I trust Captain Saionji, the older of the two brothers,  to be a hardass who gets results out of anyone he trains... I trust Captain Araragi to be a little on the laid back side, but to finish his work and get results anyway. I trust Captain Foiche to be a full on lesbian with a knack for Kidō."

That last one was sorta said as a joke, though there were very obvious truths behind it. "Kei, it depends on what you want... If I were to suggest a Squad based on how you would interact with the Captain, I would suggest Araragi. If you want someone who is going to help you gain that confidence you say you lack, I would suggest one of the Saionji brothers, and prefer the one you're likely sacred of... The bastard scares me sometimes to..." Kaminari glanced off to the side and shook her head. Somewhere in the Sixth Division, J. Saionji had a sneezing fit and Maaya Ishino worried about him getting a cold. "Do any of those sound like someone you would want to... and can handle?"

"Or... are you asking for a more... personal trust?"

"To be honest, Kei... I'm not sure exactly what squad who benefit you in the manner I know you're wanting..." Kaminari sighed again and stood up, making her way over to her desk, "I know you're wanting someone that will understand you, or at least accept you without trying to 'fix' you... You also need a squad that can help you advance... Kidō isn't your thing and I wouldn't put you in Squad Four... The best idea is Captain Araragi or Captain Saionji..." When she mentioned Saionji again, Kaminari gave a look that said she meant J., not his brother. "I mean... do you feel like you could work with those in Squad Two? I can speak with his brother, if that is the case, but..." Kaminari sort of just shrugged. This was a delicate situation that she didn't want to mess up for Kei.

"Kei, I trust them all." she replied rather quickly and bluntly when Kei confirmed the personal aspect, "All of them. This is about what you would want... I think that is what you'll need to think about and I'll give you the next thirty days to decide, alright? Usually, I only give a week, but I'll consider this a special case... After that thirty days, if you haven't made a decision... expect to be placed in the Sixth Division." It wasn't a threat, but knowing the Captain of the Division made it seem like one. Kaminari sat down behind her desk and pulled out a file with Kei's name on it. She filled out a few things and set it back in the drawer before Kei spoke up again. "Captain... I... was wondering how your rehabilitation was going. If there's anything I can do, please, let me know." Kei asked her.

Kaminari thought for a moment, wondering if there was anything she could use some help with. "Right now, I'm just very tired... I've been sleeping a lot. I don't feel the effects of that damn poison anymore, but the weakness is still there... And the passed couple of days, I've just felt a little off... Like there was something wrong, or I'm missing a piece of information that I need..." Kaminari just shook her head and shrugged, "It'll come to me when I need it to... and right now, there isn't much that anyone can do to help... I'm relaxing as much as I can... No, actually, do you think you can fill in for me as trainer for a few of the newer Squad One members? I'm supposed to be giving them a training session tomorrow, but I know I won't be able to handle it... I'm just too tired right now."

"Hohō and Hakuda will be wonderful." Kaminari said that like Kei pointing that out was some sort of god-send, "You have no idea how many of these people need that. I'll have a second there to aid with any Kidō training needing to be done, but I'm certain the Hakuda and Hohō training will be the best choice." Thinking on it a bit more, Kaminari wondered if this training phase could help Kei get out of her shell a bit. She'd be interacting with many different people that will look up to her to some degree. They'll need her help. For once, she might not have to be the shy and inscure person she was. It'd be hard at first, but Kaminari knew Kei was stronger than even Kei herself would have thought.

And then Kaminari perked up a bit. Some energy seemed to come back to those tired eyes as she heard the familiar masculine voice. She set her elbow on the desk and her chin on her hand, watching him come through the door. She just stayed quiet until Tsubine realized that Kei was right there, looking at him in a way that made Kaminari curious. "We're in the middle of a meeting... Tsubine, this is Kei Mikabe, my current Third Seat, soon to be transfered to a Lieutenants position... She's one of the Shinigami that saved my life. Right now, we're just having a hard time thinking on what Division she should go for..." Kaminari explained, her tone a little cheerier than before Tsubine walked through the door, "Any ideas?" Kaminari handed Tsubine her file. As Tsubine looked at the file, Kaminari just watched him. It would be obvious to anyone seeing this that Kaminari was head over heels in love with this man. She couldn't take her eyes off him, and really didn't' want to.

Kaminari did not mean it as a shot toward Tsubine or anything like that. She just wanted him to know that this wasn't just 'some' woman in the Gotei. Kei was a woman who had followed Kaminari into hell on a hunch and succeeded in bringing her back out of it alive. There wasn't much that Kaminari could say to show how thankful she was for those who went. Kaminari handed over the file and just watched Tsubine. She looked him up and down, but mostly concentrated on his face. There was something extremely alluring about him when he was concentrating on something. God, don't let her watch him train or in battle, she might melt. Soon, he got to the key word about what the meeting was about. "Yes." Kaminari replied when he mentioned the bankai, "I won't force her into being a Captain, but I do feel it would be best for the Gotei Thirteen if she were at least at a Lieutenant position."

Tsubine finished and began suggesting something that Kaminari didn't think would work at first. She thought about it more as Tsubine explained and warmed up to the idea, nodding in agreement a couple times. When he looked back at her about the baby thing, Kaminari just shrugged and nodded in agreement. "It would have been nice, but can't exactly control that all the time." EPIC FORESHADOWING! Once the rest was explained, Tsubine turned to Kaminari and asked for confirmation. "That's not a bad idea at all... Captain of the Tenth is someone I know you'd get along with, so... I believe it would work for you." Kaminari smiled at Tsubine, those stars shining in her eyes for a moment and then turned back to Kei. "So... do you think that you can handle that for a while?" Kaminari's entire demeanor had changed since Tsubine walked in. She looked like she had more energy and the color was back in her face. "Tsubine is right about what your duties would be..."

"I'm glad... At least then you'll be at a level you can be comfortable with." Kaminari said with a soft smile. She looked curiously to Tsubine as he came over and her smile got bigger as her cheek was kissed. Kaminari's heart warmed and a bit of excitement roared in her belly. She wanted to squee. She hated it when Tsubine wasn't around, though there were obvious reasons as to why he wasn't. "Yeah, that's definitely another reason for it." Kaminari raised an eyebrow at him and then turned to Kei, "Of course. It's good we got that settled. I'll have the paperwork done by tonight, so expect the transfer letter within the next couple of days." Kaminari stood up and stretched a little bit, "I will. Thank you Kei!" Kaminari waved Kei goodbye and then decided to crawl up on her desk. As Tsubine was turning to her, she was at his eye level and leaned in to give a quick kiss on the lips as reply, "I know."

"Look what Kei got me." Kaminari picked up the whale and snuggled it, "Isn't it cute? She got it as a get-well present." Kaminari pressed the whale against his cheeks and made a kissing sound before putting it back down. She hopped off the desk in front of him and looked up with a sweet smile. Her face was getting a little pale, but otherwise she was fine. And then her face turned onto the pouty side, "How come I never got a get well present from you? You'd think out of everyone that would get me one, you would." Kaminari put an expression on that made it seem like she was actually hurt. She crossed her arms and puffed out her cheeks a bit as well. "Oh! I have something for you by the way." she hurried over to a drawer behind her desk and began looking through it. She pulled something out and hid it behind her back before turning to him. For a moment, she hesitated, but quickly gave in.

"Don't make fun of me... I made it while I was in the hospital and it got a bit longer than I expected, so I doubled it so it can go around your neck instead..." Kaminari nervously brought the gift out and held it up to him. She didn't look at him because she felt she was going to get made fun of. She thought of all the 'leash' jokes that were going to come at her, which is why she hesitated to give it to him in the first place, but she couldn't keep it hidden forever. It was his, a gift from her. She hoped it would show that he really was all she could think about when she was in the hospital. "You're supposed to... um..." she kept pointing around her neck and gave a tying motion, "Yeah... and keep the blue part in front... You don't have to wear it if you don't want... I know it's not the coolest thing, but..." If he paid attention, on the inside, there were three words. They were "I love you" embroidered into it.

Kaminari had actually completely forgotten she put that part there...

Kaminari was so nervous when trying to explain what this was supposed to be. She had a vision for it when she was making it and it came out fantastically, but that didn't mean he would like it. As she explained, her forehead was kissed and she finally looked toward him with a light blush. He took it from her and wrapped it around his neck, causing Kaminari to smile at him. Once it was tied, she ajusted it just a bit and tapped at his chest where the end fell. "Well, it's nice to know that you'll value it so much..." she said in a low and nervous whisper. She was actually very surprised he liked it. She could not have been happier right now. She was able to do something nice for him and he liked it! Once it was fully tied, Tsubine leaned in and kissed her lips. Kaminari was quick to respond by kissing him right back, but what he said after confused her. "Huh?" she tilted her head and blinked a couple times.

"What do you mean 'you too'?" she asked with confusion in her voice. Tsubine blinked, "I meant 'I love you too.' You wrote 'I love you' on the inside of this thing, and so I felt I should say it back. I mean, I mean it and all... but I wanted to hear it from you first. I wanted you to be ready to say it before I did, so you wouldn't be pressured." Kaminari blinked once. She blinked twice. She looked to the neck piece she made for him and it all came rushing back to her. She forgot she had put that there. She blinked three more times and her entire face turned a very deep red. "I... I... I... f-forgot... I... put that... I... didn't... first." Kaminari covered her face with both hands and looked around the room. She was trying to look at anything but Tsubine. "I'll be right back!" she said and rushed off into the bathroom that was connected to her office. She shut the door behind her and leaned against it, trying to catch her breath.

"Kaminari, you stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid girl..." she kept muttering over and over again.

"Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit! I did that wrong. I did that wrong! That look... Aw man. Did I upset him? He even looked pale. No, no, no. I messed up so bad!" She heard him say he was coming in and began pushing harder against the door. "No, no, no. Not yet. Don't come in yet. Not yet. Please..." She was crying, but not because he did anything wrong. She felt like she had. First off, forgetting that was there was beyond stupid! Of course he would see it. It wasn't going to be some surprise. Secondly, she didn't just confirm her own feelings and ended up running into the bathroom. Thirdly, that look.... that look he had on his face practically broke her heart in two.

Even though she didn't want him coming in, she had no mind to stop him. She just kept pushing against the door and then... Wait. Her eyes suddenly widened as the door opened the way she forgot it opened and she fell into him hard enough to knock them both down. When she looked up to him, a single tear fell down her cheek. He asked if she was okay and she just nodded. What could she say? And then he said the rest and her eyes widened. Wrong. No, no, no! That's not why! He held onto her and continued explaining. With the rest of his words, her heart felt like it was flying. When he took her hand, she wrapped her petite fingers around his and her face finally softened into a smile.

"That's not why...." she finally spoke up after his confession, "I... wanted you to say it first... That's all... I always thought that it was bad if I did because... Well, Tsubine... You already know I've cared for you for a long, long time. There was a time you wouldn't have given me a second look, remember? I thought that if you said it to me first then..." Kaminari lowered her head in disappointment, tears coming to her eyes again, "... it would mean a lot more to us... I just wanted you to say it first."

Kaminari was absolutely shocked at the fact that he laughed at this. It wasn't just a chuckle either. It was a full blown laugh. She didn't know how to react. She wondered if she had said something he thought was stupid. Did she mess up now? She half expected him to look at her like she was crazy and just walk off. He wouldn't do that, right? Possibly. She does say some stupid things quite often. While all of this was going through her mind, Tsubine decided to interrupt her thoughts with a kiss. Kaminari returned it, but it was very light.  She was confused and felt very insecure. She was slouching in on herself like she was in trouble or felt really stupid. In fact, she kind of felt both of those right now.

"What do you mean?" she said in reply to his first statement. How long would it have taken and why so long? Was he waiting as well? Wait, yeah. He had said that before, but why would he wait?! He should have known she was ready! Or was she hiding it that well? No. There is no way! Kaminari's expression lightened a bit, but she was still confused. "Okay... I can do that." Kaminari just nodded. If she had to say what was on her mind, then she would. As long as he did too, everything would be okay, right? And then he commented on the position they were in. Kaminari decided to take it a stop further and moved to straddle him completely and began running her fingers lovingly through his hair.

And her smile returned when he said he loved her. She was his and he was hers. That's all she wanted, but that didn't mean she wouldn't have doubts. There were so many beautiful women out there that could snatch him up. The only thing she felt she had on them was the amount of power she actually held. "I love you too." she said while looking directly into his eyes. A moment later, she pressed her lips against his and held a passionate kiss for as long as she could hold her breath. She ran her fingers through his hair and leaned her body against him as much as she could. When the kiss finally broke, she laid her cheek against his and took a moment to catch her breath, stilling playing with his hair.

"I love you too." she said again and then sat back up. She looked down to the neck piece she had made him and lightly tugged on the silk rope she made with it. Tug... Tug, tug... Tug, tug, tug, tug... Giggle. "I can lead you around with this thing, huh?" she realized this and liked it. She had scenes going through her mind about wanting a kiss, so she grabbed onto it and made him bend down to her. Yes! This will exert power! She will make him kiss and hug her whenever she wants. This mischievous look came over her face as these images passed through her mind. Once she stopped thinking about them, she giggled happily and wiggled around a bit before nuzzling her face into his neck. "Forever yours..."