Small Chances, Pure Brilliance [Mizu/Byakuya]

The afternoon air was hot and humid in the Seireitei today. Comfortable was not the description Byakuya would use for this weather. It made conversations with current Gotei members less appealing. Unfortunately his stubbornness proved he was not the type to back down because of warm weather. Besides, coming out of retirement was proving more difficult than Byakuya expected, especially since he had no interest in answering to higher authorities after decades of prior service.

Recent conversations had confirmed positive rumors about the Gotei United, including his conversation with the Captain Commander herself. Still, there were things he wanted to understand before pressing his return more than he already had. This new bunch of Captains were worrying in quite a few aspects, but a few interesting names came up: Kei Saionji, Mizu Morikawa, Tentō Zefā and Hinamori Toki. These four had caught Byakuya's attention, each for very different reasons.

Byakuya pulled out a clean cloth from an inner pocket to wipe sweat from his brow. As he approached the corner of the next street he planned to walk down, the heat kept his mind preoccupied. He didn't sense the reiatsu of another as he returned the cloth to the pocket it came from and took a swift turn down the next street.

The heat of the day wore on Morikawa Mizu, Vice Captain of the Gotei's Second Division. Her title occasionally wore on her just as much, but she was determined not only to take advantage of this grand opportunity Captain Kuchiki had provided her with, but also to do her best as a Shinigami. Ever since entering the Gotei a few years ago, that had been her modus operandi. Some days she still couldn't believe she was a Vice Captain, having surpassed all the expectations of her family and those she set for herself; and yet, her progress could not halt. She needed to improve. She needed to be better.

As Mizu walked the streets of Seireitei, heat shimmering clearly off the ground ahead of her, a determined look spread across her face. She was on a mission today, and though anyone else might consider it unimportant, to her it was everything. Today, Mizu was...delivering paperwork. The unseated member of the Second she usually relied on for this kind of thing was bedridden, having recently come down with an illness, and so instead of asking anyone else to take over Mizu took it upon herself to deliver some transfer papers to the appropriate Seireitei office.

Though treating it as an important mission, Mizu understood as Vice Captain she had other responsibilities she couldn't afford to put off. And so she rushed through Seireitei's stone streets, the blazing sun beating down on her as she did, partially unaware of those around her. That is, until she turned a corner somewhat recklessly and came face-to-face with the abdomen of another person, colliding with them hard enough to knock herself down onto her butt, which helped cushion her fall. When she looked up Mizu squinted, at first unable to make out the figure in front of her as the sunlight enveloped her vision. Then, having seen this face a million times or more, she froze. Mizu's face turned grey as she started mumbling incoherently.

"W-why...Cap-....Ku-...ohnononononono-"

Byakuya held himself like a marble statue as a whirl of yellow turned a corner and suddenly crashed into him. A petite young woman ended up on the ground in front of him. As she looked up, he watched her with his well known stoicism. The moment of her recognition was plastered on her face as she changed color. The stuttering was a nice addition. Unfortunately, things like this happened before. Even in his retirement, Byakuya was still one of the most famous Shinigami out there.

“Calm yourself,” he said and held a hand out to her. “Are you alright?”

Byakuya intended on helping her back to her feet. Since she fell, a lot of the paperwork she carried fell with her and slid along the ground. It was fortunate that it did not all go flying. Once she was on her feet, he helped her gather it without mixing things up too much and handed her delivery back to her.

"Over exerting yourself in this heat could be detrimental to your health. Stay hydrated and take your time. I doubt this paperwork is worth your health."

Byakuya looked the young woman up and down. He noticed a certain insignia. So, this was the Lieutenant of Rukia's Division? This young woman was also one of those whose names being repeated in his conversations with other Shinigami.

"Mizu Morikawa," Byakuya said. "Lieutenant of the Second Division, correct?. Do you happen to have some time to answer a few questions about the Gotei United?"

As if running on autopilot, Mizu raised her hand to meet Byakuya's while her mind resembled an office fire. Even as she was lifted to her feet and handed a stack of papers somewhere in the back of her mind knew was important, her expression remained unchanged. Mizu's eyes were like planets, and the rest of her was still as a statue. She couldn't comprehend this situation, and she certainly couldn't comprehend this man.

When Byakuya offered advice to be careful in the heat, Mizu nodded her head almost imperceptibly and muttered a meek "Uh-huh." She had become pale as a ghost, or at least another kind of ghost not named Shinigami. First Rose and Rangiku, then Urahara, Rukia after him, and now Byakuya. How had she managed to meet all these living legends?! She couldn't understand how she had gotten so lucky, so many times. Given her reaction to this latest chance meeting though, one couldn't be blamed for thinking she was unlucky in this case.

Mizu's initial surprise was minor in comparison to what was to come as Byakuya not only seemed to recognize her, but knew her name. Her face contorted into a look of utter terror as she recoiled and nearly yelled "Eeeeeeeeeep!!" This second surprise seemed to shock her system back into functionality, changing her cheeks from sheet-white to rosy red and allowing her to actually respond to the man she had looked up to for the past 25 years.

"Y-you want t-to ask m-me questions?! You?? A-ask me??!"

Over the years, Byakuya had encountered reactions similar to this. At times, they could be described as endearing. At other times, they were easily described as chaotic. This young woman’s was somewhere in between. And in seeing Mizu’s reaction, she revealed herself as a fan very quickly. I wonder what Rukia thinks about that… the man thought as Mizu’s cheeks began mimicking a tomato.

"Yes." Byakuya said, giving a curt nod. "I've had conversations with other Shinigami and your name has come up a few times. You seem very well-liked among those even outside of your Division. There is also talk of interesting kido applications of your own creation. If you're willing, I would appreciate a demonstration as well. Of course, if you are unable to today, I can come back at a later date."

As Byakuya rained compliments upon Mizu, which were likely just honest observations taken in an entirely exaggerated way by the flustered Morikawa girl, she continued to redden until becoming unrecognizable from a ripened tomato. She knew Byakuya had become active in the Seireitei again, but as a retired Gotei officer it wasn't like he was flitting from one barracks to another. The chance of running into him in an entirely random meeting like this was extraordinarily low. And yet here he was. Here they were.

With every fiber of willpower mustered, Mizu managed to respond to her lifelong idol with an almost-normal cadence "U-um, Captain Kuchiki-sama, you are being much too kind. I-I'm just a Vice Captain, and a recently promoted one at that. Surely there are much more qualified, amazing Shinigami for you to worry about..."

A realization struck Mizu as she contemplated precisely what Byakuya had said: She was probably disappointing him! She, Morikawa Mizu, was disappointing the legendary Byakuya Kuchiki! Yet another shock to her system caused Mizu to change back from crimson to ghost-white. Her hands shot up in front of her and waved frantically as if to dismiss the very idea of forcing Byakuya to wait until a later date. "W-whatever you want, Captain Kuchiki-sama! I'll do whatever you want! Please think nothing of it! Sir! Your lordship!"

Her modesty was a common reaction, an understandable one as well. However, shinigami were praising her name and progress. Her ingenuity with kido was something to behold, according to certain rumors he collected.

"I am not currently interested in them. Give yourself more credit, Miss Morikawa."

There was a piece of him that felt a tinge of guilt with her next reaction. The young woman was having a difficult time keeping her composure. In the past, this behavior received a roll of his eyes and he would just walk away. However...

"When you are fighting, it is advantageous to keep your mind calm. During times of stress, it is important to know yourself enough to recenter. Some take a breath, others rethink their strategy. It is clear my presence is a source of stress. Take a moment to recenter yourself with your chosen method, then make a decision."

A person could get whiplash just from witnessing Mizu switch back and forth between chalk white and cherry red. To be picked out of the metaphorical crowd as someone particularly exemplary was one thing, but for Byakuya Kuchiki to have done it was a whole other story. Her entire life she had looked up to this legendary figure...and here he was...apparently looking for her. Mizu was stunned.

Though ready to burst at the seams, Mizu took in and absorbed every one of Byakuya's words. He could cough and she would treat it as sage advice of some kind. If she didn't want to disappoint him, Mizu knew she had to take his counsel seriously and force herself to calm down. She took a deeeeeeeep breath in, held it, then let it out in a sigh for the ages...then she did it again. And again. And when she finally seemed ready to speak, she did it again, until finally Mizu's brain had put out the fires within her mind and she could speak to this incredible man.

With a deep, respectful bow at the waist, Mizu addressed her terrible reaction to meeting Byakuya "Hai. I apologize for that embarrassing display, Captain Kuchiki-sama. Please, whatever you need from me, just say the word."

Byakuya watched silently as Mizu took his advice. Though a rather simple thing, it was something she could use now, and later, if she ever needed. He was patient, letting her practice until she felt comfortable enough to converse again. When she finally looked to be ready, she did it again, eliciting a small twitch from the side of his mouth. After that, however, she finally did speak and came off more relaxed.

Mizu's offer of cooperation was much better the second, calmer time around. Her words gave off an air of willing acceptance, not fearful compliance, which was a much more preferred. "All is forgiven, and since I clearly caught you in the middle of a delivery, could I speak with you on your way there?" Byakuya understood the importance of getting a job done on time, especially for a Lieutenant.

Besides, this young woman's Captain was Rukia. Though they were currently not on speaking terms, she was allowed to keep his last name for good reason. He had no interest in being the cause of any more of Rukia's distress.

"Before I ask about your applications of kido," Byakuya said as a way of reminding her that subject was to come up. "How do you view the current policies of the Gotei United? For example, the separation of jobs between Divisions, the Combat Division's succession tradition, the curriculum at the Academy, and so on..."

"Oh...um..." Mizu stared at the papers in her hands for a couple seconds before remembering what she had been doing before, quite literally, running into Byakuya. A delivery of rather mundane transfer documents that could reach their intended destination today, tomorrow, or the next, and it would make no difference. To anyone else, at least. Mizu was different. Unique among even her peers in the Gotei. A lover...of paperwork. Or, rather, of doing a good job; it just so happens the thing she was always best at was paperwork. Others may get along on talent, but it was her dedication and hard work that always bridged the gap for Mizu.

Mizu gave a deep, appreciative bow to signify her acceptance of Byakuya's offer to walk with her to her delivery's destination. It wasn't terribly far, the records office she needed to reach was only a few minutes away. As they got a move on, Mizu considered his probing inquiries with interest, though she didn't question why he was asking them in the first place. He's Byakuya Kuchiki after all. Infallible and beyond reproach.

The barrage of questions made it difficult for Mizu to answer immediately, but she did her best nonetheless. "It isn't my place to question these things, Captain Kuchiki-sama. They are in place for reasons much greater Shinigami and officials than I have come up with. I trust the Captains and Captain Commander Kagayaku-sama to do what is best for the Gotei, Seireitei, and Soul Society."