Wandering Gotei [Junichiro, Quinn]

Humming to himself, running a brush through his long raven hair, a fresh graduate of the Shin’o Academy, Junichiro prepared himself for an important day. A day that was already wracking his nerves, lips pursed as he stared at himself in the mirror of his vanity. Setting the brush down, he leaned in closer, tugging his cheek down to accentuate the dark circles under his eyes. Grimacing, with a heavy sigh, the man rested his chin onto his elbow. He had not been getting very much sleep these days, the stress from his new life lurking around the corner robbing him of that peace he had taken for granted. He looked haunting, skin almost translucent, pulled taught over bones, gaunt and withering away. How was he supposed to make an impression looking like this? He’d be relegated to some graveyard attendant, or buried himself at this rate, a walking ghoul, shameful, unlovable…

“You look great, June. Stop worrying!” A hand patted onto his shoulder, nearly sending the life from his body, jumping before burying his face into his hands from embarrassment. Resting his head in his arms on the desktop of the vanity, he groaned muffled into the wood. “Oh hush, you’re going to be late if you keep moping. Your Shihakusho is cleaned and layed out on your bed, you’ve already slept through breakfast but there is some fruit on the table, grab an apple and go! It’ll be fun, meeting your new friends!”

Turning his head, resting his cheek on his arm, June sighed and reluctantly responded, “Thank you, mother.” As much as it pained him to hear his mothers persistence, he knew that come very soon, he’d miss it along with everything else in this household. Posted up in barracks with strangers in a strange place, why had he gone and done this? He could have just slipped away into the outskirts of the Rukongai, keeping to himself and living off of the land…

But fate was a fickle thing, and it had something else in store for him. Bend or break, he was on a path towards something new, nothing he could do to stop the currents as they dragged him onward down this river.

Begrudgingly finishing getting dressed, Junichiro stood on the threshold of the front door leaving the Kitagawa manor, staring out onto the same groomed garden that he had seen his entire life. But his feet felt stuck to the wood flooring, jaw clenched as his heart started to race again. A thought in the back of his mind was creeping up, he could just turn around right now and be rid of this nonsense. He could stay here and work with his family, he could be a painter, he could do anything. Anything but this. Plea-

His shoulders seemed to crumple forward, stumbling over the threshold, feeling a push from behind. After nearly toppling off of the steps leading out of the manor, he turned around aghast, indignant fury welling up in his otherwise pitiful visage… before realizing he was staring at an empty doorway. There was no one there. His mind took a moment to catch up, the breeze seeming to toss strands of his hair across his shoulders as he blankly stared into the house he was leaving behind. Then as if realization was thawing him, a distant beating of war drums echoing in his chest, his eyes glanced down to the sheathed blade hung at his hip. Then as quickly as he looked, he looked away. Raising his chin, he let out a huff, storming down the steps. Must have been the wind.

Once he had finished his shower and dressing, the young Vizard moved back into the large open room where dozens of beds spread out along the walls. He walked to his bed and grabbed his zanpakto. After double checking his Shihakusho, Quinn began his yoga routine, slowly stretching throughout his body. Having just joined the Fourth Division often had Quinn’s constant smile growing into a strong grin. Seeing the empty room, the young Shinigami left the dorm room and walked through the barrack’s hallways, walking past the cafeteria. He wasn’t hungry yet.

Thus, the lad made his way outside to the training field. Like he expected, there were several members outside training, alone or in duels. Quinn let his Echo-Reikaku sweep the field, bringing the boy detailed information on what was around him. He saw the training posts, various sparring rings and other objects. He also felt the spirits of his fellow Shinigami. While he stood in the warm sunlight, he inhaled the mixed smell of nearby flowers and sweat from the exercising Soul Reapers. Then again, Quinn didn’t care about smell unless it was food.

After a minute of thinking, Quinn walked over to a weapon’s rack that held wooden weapons and picked two swords that fit his own before moving to a thick training post. With the grunts of effort and moans of pain surrounding him, Quinn began his practice. The lad struck the training dummy with standard attacks while using his flexibility. As he cut, stabbed and slashed his target, Quinn feinted before dancing away from an imagined counter only to drop to the ground and attack his opponent’s legs. Quinn fell into a combat trance with his movements developing into his long-trained dance fighting style. But, if someone watched, the youngster would slip or his attacks would be off a bit.

Several minutes later, Quinn backed away, his chest heaving for breath. The rapid strikes also added a dull pain in his arms which made him grumble. Quinn rubbed his sore arms while resting for a bit.

This world was changing everyday, and even the familiarity he might have had with the Gotei growing up was stripped away and replaced with a new age of Shinigami. His family was a long line of Bannermen and Flag Makers, helping to craft and create the grand banners that brandished all along the barracks and walls of this great city. A symbol stood for something, a banner so light and free, fluttering even with such weight held on its fabric. In the time that he had been in the academy, the old Gotei had been reborn into the Gotei United. Once familiar streets had been carved out and rebuilt in the wake of a new era, the world of the Shinigami starting a new chapter in its long history book.

The scrape of sandals across brick, Junichiro aimlessly wandered through the streets of Gotei, admittedly lost for where exactly his destination was. Everything was changed and rearranged, but be damned if he’d succumb to using a map just yet. The layout of this grand central was breathtaking as always, towering buildings that loomed over the streets, bastions of history and pride born anew with fresh faces and wet paint. Even now it felt as if the city was continuing to move and grow, fresh construction scattered about his path as he went, taking in the sites with brand new eyes. Not as a servant to the Gotei, not as a civilian, but as a soldier. A graduate, a warrior.

Warriors were abundant, it seemed. It prickled his nose before it ever came into sight. Sweat. Rounding the curve of the road, the walls opened up to reveal a courtyard filled with brutish men practicing their savagery in broad daylight. June’s brow furrowed, eyes lowered as he stifled a grimace, bringing the back of his hand up to his nose. Had a shower not been invented yet in this world of neanderthals? This was undoubtedly the new 4th Division, he could smell them from a mile away, and if not the smell giving it away, then the deafening chorus of blades and grunts would have. His stomach churned just seeing them, brows damp in the sunlight, swinging around their weapons with such abandon that nearly made him clutch his pearls. If he was ever sure of anything, it would be that he would NOT be joining the 4th. He wouldn’t even be consorting with these thugs if it were up to him.

Then he felt it in his chest, a thumping of blood rushing, hammering so sudden and violent he thought his heart was on the verge of bursting. But it was not his heart, it was not the beating of his vessels, but the beating of drums. War Drums. Hoof beats, a battle cry. The Zanpakuto that hung from his hip nearly clattered in its sheath as something shook deep inside of him, just the sight of real men showing real strength was like a flame to the powder keg that was his eternal spirit companion. Gods, he must be being punished for the wrongdoings of his past life, why him?

Quinn stretched his arms and back lightly. He also watched the entire area, studying how the Shinigami trained. He wanted to improve and would take any advice. So, the boy eagerly watched his fellows. Sweat had built up on Quinn due to the combination of the warm sun and the exercise. The lad moved back to his training dummy preparing to resume his combat dance. A few moments later, the blindfolded lad felt a familiar spirit enter his scanning range. The newcomer had Quinn turning to the low wall surrounding the training field. Quinn focused his echolocation in that direction. With the controlled sound waves, Quinn got a more detailed view of the man.

Is that…what was his name? I swear tha-, then it clicked in his mind, that is him!

Quinn put his training weapons back on the rack before walking over to the half-wall, a grin painted on his face. After closing the distance more, Quinn waved at Junichiro and said, “hey there. It’s been a while. Nice to see you again.” The Vizard creased his brow in thought as he tried to dig up the man’s name. The boy's face scrunched up more as he fought his memory.

Junichiro was already gearing up to leave this cesspit in the dust, when he heard someone calling in his direction. His heart sank, all of the moisture drying up from his mouth. Surely they weren’t talking to him… looking at these people was enough, interacting with them was-

Oh. A familiar face, turns out. Squinting his eyes, June thought briefly about who this man was. Hard to forget a look like his, a true standout in his class at the academy. A true rising star, very passionate, who else would wear a blindfold just to train their senses the way he does. With a sigh of relief, his brow seemed unfurrow as this man approached, a glow about him that was warm.

“Ah, Quinn. It has been a while, hasn’t it.” Looking down over this sweat sodden soldier, June’s gaze glanced back over to the crowd of apes bellowing in the background. “Joined up with the 4th I see. To hone your swordsmanship I presume…?” It was a shame he was never going to be able to speak to this friend again. Truly.

“And how are you finding it here? Fitting in?” He asked, the undertone of his words dripping with a bit of dubious sarcasm. Fishing his hand into the chest of his robes, he plucked out a small handkerchief, embroidered with his family crest, handing it toward Quinn from as far as his arm could reach, making no effort to step forward any further. “For your face..”

Quinn's annoyed face snapped into a grin as the man's name popped into his mind. Pulling his blindfold down to his neck, the young Vizard's blue eyes shown with surprised glee. He took in June's appearance and nodded to the man's questioned. It had been a while since he had seen most of his classmates. Why is her here? he wondered before chuckling to himself, I got lost a lot and still do...I can't fault him.

Grabbing the offered handkerchief, Quinn wiped down his face and handed it back. With some of the training Soul Reapers going back into the barracks, the noise outside dimmed a bit. And without even looking, Quinn saw a couple of teams head out to a mission. But, his focused on Junichiro. "Yeah, the Fourth fit me the best. I need to grow stronger. I've been helpless...many more times than I wish to count."

Quinn fought the urge to shiver as he felt a cold, hard hand mentally brush his cheek before Ekiga's deep voice spoke in the boy's mind, If you used me, you wouldn't so worthless. Let me help you, Quinnieee~

Piss off, you filth. This time, Quinn's face morphed into frustration.

Shaking his head, he apologized, "Sorry that wasn't aimed at you. How have you been, June?"

June's lips pursed as he grimaced at the boy seemingly talking to himself, then the corners of his mouth drooped into a slight frown. Oh no, they had already broken his brain. Must be a requirement to bash it out when you join the 4th. When he seemed to snap out of it, offering an apology, June offered a soft smile in return, nodding his head and moving right along. "No worries, Quinn. Mind you are getting enough sleep, if you're a bit out of sorts..." He spoke, immediately feeling a tinge of embarrassment from not having gotten any rest himself lately. Hypocritical as he may be, hopefully it worked for his friend even if it was failed on himself.

His gaze seemed to break when he was asked about himself, lilac eyes wandering away as if searching for what his response should be. "I.. have had better days, admittedly. But there are always better days ahead, isn't that right?" With another feigned smile, it wasn't clear if that was more for Quinn or himself to hear out loud. "I'm on my way to meet with the 2nd Division now actually, although I am finding myself walking in circles it seems... Gotei has changed so much in these past few years, I'm all turned around.." Sure, he was actually currently turned around on his route, but he also sure did feel turned around in life in general. Where was he supposed to go next..?