What Are the Chances? [Akira/Mirai/Hana]

The look in his eyes caused her to take a step back. She had clearly started him, but he did the same in response. She watched and waited, having forgotten about the hollow for now; the sight of bloodied wounds could do that. He calm off kind when he collected himself, letting Hana bring her guard down enough to not withdraw from him again. Hearing his explanation, she let her reikaku reach out. There was a hollow and someone else, someone clearly stronger than her, but unfamiliar.

“Oh, I see,” Hana said, sighing in relief. She could tell by the order in her phone that the hollow would have been a challenge. The fear of having to fight it faded. She wasn’t a very strong shinigami, yet, so she did not want to punch too far above her weight class. He was able to conjure a smile from her, his kind words calming her nerves. “Here, let me help. Let’s find you a place to sit,” Hana said, intending on helping him walk. She was quite a bit shorter, but she could shoulder his weight.

There was a tinge of relief in Hana’s expression when he covered the blood. She wasn’t fond of that getting on her clothing. If she had popped out of her gigai before running toward the danger, it would be easier to get blood on her uniform. In the modern clothing she was wearing, it would be such a pain to get out, and a sad reminder of failing someone who needed her help. Still, she pushed through and helped him get somewhere safe. She had the strength for that!

“My name is Hana Aoyama, and yes it is my duty to deal with hollow,” Hana said, a drop of uncertainty in her tone. "So, if I may ask, what is your name? I hear talking can distract from the pain." Hana looked around, trying to find a bench for him to sit on. He was right about the garden, so she led him in that direction. At the bench, she did her best to help him sit, and even lay down if he was more comfortable.

"I am not the most skilled in healing, but I will attempt to stop the bleeding," Hana said. Taking a deep breath, she held both of her hands over his wound. A glittery, light blue, cool feeling reiryoku emanated from the palms of her hands and seeped into the wound like a gentle snow falling to the ground. She focused hard, a drop of sweat sliding down the side of her face while she took deep, controlled breaths to keep herself steady. She hoped that the wound would soon start to close.

A dumpster? Alleys? Beaten up? Hana’s mind wandered to different books she read, the plots of muggings and back alley deals. Was Akira about to be assassinated and his body thrown into a dumpster before they bumped into each other? No, that was ridiculous. He already explained the hollow, and she could sense the other shinigami taking care of it. Hana pushed the silly thoughts out of her mind.

“I am just thankful I showed up and can help you. Now, hold still…”

Healing Akira was where Hana's focus was. In fact, she focused so hard on controlling her reiryoku and doing this right that his words seemed to fall on deaf ears. She heard him, but would not respond until her mission was complete. His wounds slowly wove themselves back together, and unfortunately did leave a decent scar. Hopefully, he could find a better healer to get rid of that. She certainly wasn’t it. She stopped, sighed, and wiped the sweat from her brow.

“There. I do apologize for the scar; I could still use some practice,” Hana said, taking another deep breath before sitting on the bench next to him. "I have been a Shinigami for a little under a year now; I am quite new to all of it. What did you mean by my kaido being pleasant? Is there something odd about it?" Hana's question came off worried, like she might be doing something incorrectly.

Hana’s cheeks reddened at what he told her. It warmed her heart to hear it. He could tell all of that from her kaido? That was impressive. Someone more experienced might have caught on to his knowledge and questioned it further, but Hana had the habit of assuming the good in everyone. She had no reason to be suspicious, and so she wasn’t. His compliments only made her smile.

"Hm..." Hana put her fingers on her chin, the natural thinking gesture. "I am uncertain, but I might get in trouble explaining anything about my route to someone outside of the Gotei United. Normally, I would not hesitate to answer, but I am trying to better myself as a Shinigami. The most I am willing to say is that I patrol everywhere; I enjoy patrol assignments. I may be in India next week."

Remembering her job, Hana stood up and looked back in the direction of the hollow she should have been fighting. It hadn't been long, but the person she sensed was much more powerful than she was. The battle was coming to a close, at least that's what she sensed as the hollow's reiatsu began fading. She sighed in relief and then turned her attention back to Akira. "I think the hollow that attacked you is close to death; you should be safe now. If you need, I can escort you home."

Overwhelmed. The casual conversation that seemed to be on good standing was completely changed in the course of a few seconds. The things Akira said shocked her. What he wanted her to do was horrifying. She shook her head. “Wh-what? I will do no such thing!” Hana said, but as he continued, it got worse. He claimed himself a traitor and a deserter. Hana’s eyes widened. Who was this man?

Hana took a few steps back from him, her hand gripping her zanpakuto, but not in a way that would ever imply that she would draw it against him. Firstly, she was using the wrong hand for that. "I... do not understand, and I will not harm someone I just healed. Explain! Who are you?" The hollow they sensed was now dead, and the shinigami that took care of it was likely on the way. Hana could not tell.