SPOILER: Click to show

Note
This thread takes place in the fall of 1990]

A deep sigh escaped her lips as the doors swung open. Her hand raced to her face, slightly shielding her eyes from the rays of the sun. For the first time in years, the doors to the outside were open to her. She was free. Her hand slowly dropped from her face, brushing aside the hair that had grown past her waist. A tremble went through her frame as the cool autumn breeze glided across her face. It was a feeling that was no longer familiar to her. Hesitantly, her mind contemplated taking that first step. Part of her simply wanted to return to hole to which she had been forced into for the past so many years. Her head turned slightly, just enough to catch the female shinigami who had opened the doors from the medical facility just moments before.

"Miyamoto Kanade. After extensive test and years of watch, you have been deemed well and have been cleared to return to duty. You are free."

Kanade's eyes bulged at the words escaping the woman's mouth. Free? It was a word she hadn't heard or thought of in so long. But here she was, being told that her life was her own once more. With a deep inhale, and slow exhale, her feet slowly moved, seemingly on there own. With but two quick steps, Kanade was standing on her own just outside of where she thought she would forever call home. Her eyes glanced at the ground below her, infinite thoughts racing through her head as a gust of wind rushed through the green locks draping her figure. She was free, but seemingly frozen in time. All she could do was stand until she could ponder what to do as the world sped past her.

Tasked with observation and supervision, the Taichou of the Fifth division was assigned to lend a watchful eye and iron fist, should the released shinigami, Miyamoto Kanade, quickly slink back into insanity. While this was not her desire nor interest, her prowess in combat had more or less obligated the duty to her. Also, maybe since she was female - somewhat - Ume could further connect with the woman on her first day being back into the groove of Shinigami, well, ordinary life of the soul. Besides, she was an approachable, calm person who, despite preferring isolation and not-so-much conversation, could easily discuss and relate to Kanade, likely; otherwise, she really had no idea why she was picked for the job, or summoned to be here. Much work was to be done in her own division and with patrols, anyway!

As she walked along the road, Ume noticed the female indulging in senses and sensations long forgotten, a soft frown curving the lips of her pale visage. Although her facial expression was obscured by the black fabric upon her lower face, Ume couldn't help but muse aloud, but ever-so quietly. "It is such a quiet thing, to fall. But far more terrible is to admit it..." She mutters, the wind shielding her disclosed thought. However, it was truly awe-inspiring to see a woman once severely broken discovering what it meant to be alive, essentially herself, again. Though, the thought of Kanade returning to a negative-behavioral state was always on the edge of her mind.

For now, she remained quiet, still a distance to go up ahead.

Slowly, almost methodically, Kanade's head panned left to right, taking in the sights of a society long since forgotten to her. The bustling activity of the Seireitei only served to make her more anxious as her eyes darted from person to person. The young woman inhaled heavily before releasing the the breath and stepping forward. She no idea where to begin her new journey. She wasn't told to report to anywhere specific, yet she was far to afraid to return on her to the First Division's barracks. The nearly neon hued hair blowing wildly in the wind as she continued an aimless stride, her head hanging.

Knocked off balance by an anonymous passerby, Kanade quickly stumbled to the ground, landing on her hands and knees. Even though she had been released, she had no purpose. She could feel the glare from the eyes about her. She could never explain what had happened. She hadn't hurt anyone on purpose, yet she could feel the distrust and anger radiating off those around her. The whispers in her head clashing with her own thoughts. Voices telling her to do it again, that the violence was her true nature. The simple thought of being incarcerated again filling her mind with a radical fear.

Without warning, tears began to flow from the pink orbs that so set her apart. The ground below her quickly becoming soaked with the droplets slipping from her face. At least in her mind, she was all alone. Left with these voices and the haunting memories of what she feared would happen again.

The mental ward of the Second Division held a special place in Yuzuki's life and in fact, in the lives of all the women of the Amano family. Each one that worked in the medical branch alternated taking care of a particular patient; a woman born into the family centuries ago though she, her parents, and the tragedy that had occurred were rarely spoke of. The blemish on the clan's history was a proverbial skeleton in the closet, though the closet in this case was the Second Division.

By request made at the time of the woman's admittance, non-family members, excluding the taichou, were not allowed to tend to the patient. Today had been Yuzuki's shift. Of course, her distant cousin, or aunt, Yuzuki wasn't really sure how to classify her, was not the only charge she had been tasked with overseeing and during the day when she had to venture out across the psych wing to visit different rooms, she had overheard bits and pieces of gossip about a woman being released.

Yuzuki had not been part of the Second Division when the woman the whispers had been about was admitted. Having never been assigned to her care detail in any facet after joining the Gotei, Yuzuki was not privy the medical files on her situation. Still, it wasn't every day a patient was released from the ward, so when Yuzuki exited the building on her way to complete an errand off grounds and saw a woman matching the description of the one being dismissed on her hands and knees upon the ground, her step quickened without a second thought and brought her right up to the scene.

Her voice was soft and warm as she knelt at Kanade's side and asked, "Are you alright? Do you need help?" The nature of the situation meant that Yuzuki was not addressing Ume, but the intent was not to ignore the captain. Patients simply came first and foremost to a medic.

SPOILER: Click to show

Sorry for the delay, had a busy weekend with school. e_e;

Had the fabric concealing the lower half of her face dispersed, Kanade would notice the frown curving and dipping down along the edges of her salmon-colored lips; however, the semi-mask served it's purpose, for now. Truly saddening, observing the confused, anxiously terrified woman! Her pumpkin orbs stared almost mournfully straight at the dejected female who thought to have lacked purpose, her sulking frame easily pushed to the earth beneath. Despite the cracking, shattering of the mind that was likely ensuing, Ume had yet to intervene, to console. Those oculars witnessed as another feminine soul approached the once mentally-ill and unstable patient, her crimson-red locks framing a delicate face, adorned by cerulean-pools as irises. Instead, as a watchful fellow, Ume would lag behind, understanding of Yuzuki's priority. A patient's safety was of top concern, after all; well, succeeding from all the necessary and basic requirements to function and exist.

Approaching the two quietly and gently in her step, Ume remained 'mute'; not wanting to disturb or interrupt any conversation that could therapeutically promote well-being from exchange of words between the two. The fifth division captain was only around to keep any eye on her, anyway... Yuzuki obviously had better mannerisms and professional experience in dealing with clients than a Shinigami who focused on hand-to-hand combat... not hand-to-hand-hollistic healing!

Say that in a nutshell five times!

This old world, that she was once part of, was seemingly new to Kanade once again. She must have looked a sight to anyone who cared to notice. A young woman, who's hair seemed to continue on infinitely, On her hands and knees crying her eyes out. The years of solitude had done something to her. The person that emerged was not even distant image of her former self. But this was nothing that she could help. Time had taken its toll on her.

Her pink eyes widened at the voice that felt so close. As her head rotated slowly, Yuzuki's form came into view, the scarlet threads tied into a short ponytail. Kanade froze momentarily, unable to move or speak. She simply wasn't used to such a kind voice anymore. Even Yuzuki's eyes seemed caring.

Kanade parted her lips to speak, but no words or even a sound was emitted. She couldn't figure it out, but it was like she had seemingly forgotten how to speak. Unsure of what to do, Kanade removed one of h er hand from the ground, using it to wipe the droplets from her face before nodding to the female. She wanted, no, needed all the help she could get, and would take anyone's assistance.

"Alright, I need you to lean back so that you are sitting on the ground," Yuzuki said as she placed her hands on both of Kanade's shoulders to help her balance, one arm having to stretch around the other woman's back to do so. Keeping her voice slow and methodical to try and help keep Kanade calm, Yuzuki continued speaking so she could explain what she was doing for the same reason; years of working with her relative had taught her that people, whether they were confined to the psych ward of the second division or not, liked to know what was going on. It was just in the case of the patients, it could mean the difference between a calm shift and an unpleasant incident; Yuzuki didn't know of Kanade's personal situation, but it was better to be safe than sorry.

"Once you are sitting back, I need you to very slowly stretch your legs out with the back of your thighs against the ground and knees facing up, but if that's too painful, let me know and we can find a more comfortable position for you. I want to be able to do a quick healing on your knees first and then we can get you back up and I'll tend to your hands. This will patch any abrasions you might have gotten and early treatment will prevent any forming bruises. You should be as good as new. After that, you can tell me what you'd like to do and I can help you."

Desperate times call for desperate measures, and with the case of Kanade, this was her immediate cry for help. Obviously, one could tell she felt dejected, lost within a world now foreign to her; the pressure or sudden freedom already taking its toll on her weakened form. The duties of a shinigami were not easy at all, even breaking the strongest capable hand and ultimately their willpower and mentality. Kanade was just another victim of hidden but great expectations of any folk signed up and committed to the organization. Ume could easily relate to the bad times, but she had managed to luckily keep a strong mindset against the lurking fears, pressures and situations.

The fifth division Taichou merely watched the scene unfold, the tears trickle down the woman's face, the other female's approach and excellent advisement for treatment. Now, while she focused on physical injuries from Kanade's fall, Ume decided to take a passive initiative, stating. "Hello, Kanade. I'm not sure if you recall who I am, but I'm Tachibana Ume: captain of the fifth division. I'm currently assigned to make sure you'll be fine in your transition from admission and stay in the hospital to discharge back into the line of duty. Now, while you might think I'm only here for supervision, I'd like for you to see me more as a friend; someone you can confide in, talk to, ask questions. Also, if you feel as if I'm troubling you, or you are uncomfortable around me, don't be afraid to project your feelings. If you don't mind me asking, I can see that you're upset... would you like to share with me as to why?" She tilts her head and crouches down low, aiming to converse on level with Kanade and the shinigami of the 2nd division. She gave a soft smile to Yuzuki, evident by the obscured but slightly noticeable rise in her cheekbones underneath the black, dark fabric. If anything, Ume would give an introduction to the healer shortly after. For now, Kanade's emotional and physical well-being was of course top priority and their concern.

Kanade was overwhelmed; plain and simple. Just moments before she had been alone, and now she was faced with not one but two people attempting to lend their aid. The words spoken by Yuzuki flowed through the girls' ears, nodding lightly as she looked up to the scarlett haired shinigami. With a deep breath, Kanade leaned back, kicking her feet out from under herself so she could sit upon the ground. She didn't think that she was physically hurt. At least, not as far as she could notice. Still, Kanade knew she was in no position to turn down help. Even if from a complete stranger.

Just as she backside landed on the ground, a familiar voice rang through her ears. As Kanade rotated her head, the woman's figure came into view. It was Tachibana Ume, Fifth Division Taicho. While not having been truly acquainted, she knew of the woman. Her lips parted and mouth stood agape as she noticed who it was that stood over her. A Taicho, of all people, had come to her aid. Not only was this an unexpected turn, but it caused Kanade to go short of breath for a moment.

As Ume's words found their way to Kanade's ears, it had a bit of a calming effect on the girl. The tears had stopped flowing. Her breathing had returned to its normal pace. All of this assistance in such a short amount of time. It gave hr something she had lost long ago; hope. While she wanted so much to thank the two, still she couldn't form words. At this point, a simple nod to the two females was all she could conjure up.

Yuzuki was far from surprised by Ume's introduction. Like Kanade, Yuzuki had never formally met Ume, but there were five people in all of Seireitei that any active Shinigami, if not everyone, would know by description and name, and Ume was one of those people, along with the other four residing captains. Perhaps Yuzuki should have given her own name, especially since her patient's had now been mentioned, but it would interrupt the flow that had developed for the sake of trying to calm and comfort Kanade. The medic did appreciate the taichou's mannerisms as it made it easier for her to focus on her work.

Now that Kanada was safely sitting in a more comfortable position, Yuzuki slid her gloves off and placed them in the pouch at her left hip. "I'm sliding your hakama up to better reach your knees," Yuzuki said as she shifted the lose fabric upward. "This will just make the process a little quicker and will let me see if there is anything besides minor interior bruising going on, which there shouldn't be." Once the material had been positioned where Yuzuki wanted, she rubbed her palms together to generate a light heat then held them a fraction of an inch above Kanade's skin before channeling healing energy through them. This gave the already calm feeling aura of her reiatsu a soft heat as it flowed out of her hands, better allowing it to relax and restore the left knee and then the right.

Yuzuki was good at what she did. It didn't take more than a few seconds for the task to be complete, especially since there had been no real damage done, but Yuzuki didn't want the woman to have any more problems than she already did while reentering the real world for the first time in who knew how long. "Now let's get you back on your feet. Then I can take care of your hands and you can go. I'm sure you don't want to have to stay here longer than is necessary." Yuzuki smiled softly then placed her hand on Kanade's left arm before looking to Ume. "Tachibana-taichou, would you mind helping get her to her feet?"

A nod was good enough for her, at least, for now. The woman assisting in Kanade's physical recovery was tending to the client's injured and scraped knees. Ume observed the healing process with mild interest, always entranced with the way members of the second division utilized their own spiritual energy in the form of Chiyudo. Whilst she often disliked visits and check-ups, she was still entitled to liking the various methods of healing those skilled in the practice and enraptured with the profession. So, the most Ume could possess was an admiration and deep respect for those who usually tended to her more gruesome, extensive wounds.

Silence was her strong suit, unfortunately, so when both of the other interacting parties engaged in conversation - well, when Yuzuki was giving instructions - Ume's lips were gently pressed against one another, disabling her speech. Her hands rested against her hips, as if awaiting for any moment to help in the situation. She was patient, though, orange-hued orbs and general expression feigning a calmness and tolerance befitting for the situation. Gentleness graced her features, despite her background as the fifth division taichou and 'general' of the first line of defense.

Waiting didn't seem to take long, either! Yuzuki handled the predicament with care, but with an adroit swiftness expected of hopeful members. As she turned to Ume and asked for assistance, she nodded inching toward the duo as close as possible, extending her hands out to Kanade. Her knees bent slightly, she'd crouch but in a manner to make sure her spine was erect, so lifting would originate from the legs, than from the back; and it would ultimately cause less injury to Ume in this posture. "Of course, miss... May I ask for your name?" She asks, glancing in Yuzuki's direction; purple strands of hair falling lightly into her pale visage. It was always good to meet new people, especially those who would surely remain in the organization for a good while. It was also beneficial, in case Ume would wind up in the hospital in the future.

One never knew!

Her breathing calmed, and heart rate leveled as Yuzuki's hands hovered just above her knees. Kanade hadn't been in any pain, nor was she truly psychically in pain, but the woman had come to her aid out of kindness. She simply couldn't turn her away. Kanade sat there, her eyes firmly locked on Yuzuki's figure. The woman was incredible. She didn't know the first thing about her, yet here she was offering every bit of assistance she could think of. Just the sight of such kindness seemed to not only soothe Kanade in a different way. It had helped to relax her mind.It wasn't but moments ago that every thought imaginable was racing through her head. Now, suddenly, she had gained a bit of focus.

Kanade rolled her head back slightly, her eyes darting across the skies as the wind blew her jade hued hair about, absent direction. For the first time in years, the young female's heart was at peace. Her mind had left the words coming Yuzuki and Ume's directions. That is, until she gently taken by both arms and gracefully lifted to her feet. Her head panned slightly, just enough to look to Yuzuki before rotating her head in the opposite direction to see Ume as well. She brought her hands to her face, using them to remove the few remaining tears. As her arms returned to her sides, her lips began to curve into the slightest smile, small enough to not even be noticeable.

"My, my. How far the mighty have fallen.."

Kanade's eyes widened, the small grin she had gained had left once more. She began to look about, her eyes darting in every direction. She had heard a voice, at least, she believed she had. A familiar voice that she had hoped to never hear again. She knew that only she could hear the voice, but somewhere deep in her heart, she hoped that someone else could hear it too.

"Yuzuki, Amano Yuzuki. It's a pleasure to meet you both, though I wish it were under better circumstances. Despite that, thank you for the assistance," the medic replied as the two Shinigami brought the other woman to her feet. Yuzuki did not bother to give her rank out with her introduction as such things were deemed unimportant in her family so it was not habit like it was with many Shinigami, nor did she tack on her division as it was obvious, not just by her presence, but by the display of chiyudo just moments before. Though she did not deign to extend the conversation at that point, Yuzuki found herself grateful the captain had been there to assist; Yuzuki wasn't physically strong and though there were ways of bodily moving patients, it was simply easier to have someone to help.

Her train of thought rerouted itself back to her initial priority, which was getting Kanade in a state, physically and emotionally, where she would be fine to leave the division grounds, with or without, an escort which was what Ume had claimed to be. Because the physical aspect could be addressed so much quicker, Yuzuki had not focused on viewing Kanade's expression, but rather lightly dusting her off then reaching for her hands which had dropped back to her side so she could tend to them. It was her appraising focus on the body of her temporary patient that brought Yuzuki's attention up to Kanade's face, a reflex from the tension that had overcome the other woman.

The expression Yuzuki encountered was enough to confirm that something was wrong. She took a quick glance around herself to make sure it was not an environmental issue before asking, "Is there something bothering you?" Yuzuki's tone was even though a small frown of concern had creased the lines of her mouth downward. The situation had made her suddenly tense as well for the simple fact that she did not know the full details of Kanade's former, and very recent, incarceration within the Second Division's psych ward. If Yuzuki had know, it would have, at the very least, made her feel more prepared.

SPOILER: Click to show

Spoiler
Sorry for this shitty post and wait.

All had seemed to be progressing rather well. Ume learned the name of the 2nd division shinigami, which happened to be Amano, Yuzuki. The fifth division taichou could hardly express her gratitude for Yuzuki's assistance, as well! "Pleasure to meet you, Yuzuki. I like to properly meet someone, so my name is Ume. Tachibana, Ume. You're welcome, but thank you as well. I don't think it would have been the same without you." She admits, nodding profusely. Kanade was removing the wet-stains and remainder of tears upon her cheeks, so that had to be a good sign, right? Well, wrong.

Kanade had a mystified gaze that seemingly sprawled a good three-hundred-and-sixty degrees - or, well, maybe one-hundred-and-eighty at most. Ume hadn't quite noticed until she saw from the 'corners of her eyes' the motions of Kanade's head; which appeared to be flowing with each twist of her neck. Orange oculars diverting from Yuzuki's figure, whom had also signaled that something was a-muck, noticed that Kanade was looking around confusedly for something - or someone. Though, mimicking her gestures, Ume discovered the lack of physical bodies in their nearest vicinity; merely awaiting a response from Kanade regarding Yuzuki's question.

Not one part of Kanade's body was steady. Every fiber of her being had a sudden shiver to it. That paired with an icy feeling racing down her back created nothing but unrest for the young girl. She wasn't crazy. At least, she didn't believe herself to be. Kanade had heard the all too familiar voice. She the knew the voice came from within, yet she still felt compelled to pan about her physical surroundings. No matter what, she couldn't quite shake herself of this feeling. The fear that this voice had instilled in her seemingly couldn't be broken.

A deep sigh escaped Kanade's lips as she hung her head slightly, her eyes staring straight down at the ground before her. It was only then that Yuzuki's words of concern flowed into her ears. With a sudden pivot of her head, Kanade snapped back to reality, her eyes now glued to Yuzuki's. Her head shook slowly from side to side before her eyes returned to the terrain.

"N-no. I...uh. I'm f-fine."

Words. Her first words in so many years, and the girl hadn't even realized herself that she'd spoken. Her mind occupied by other things taking priority. She couldn't shake this feeling. The feeling that something was not as it should be. Or at least, not as she had remembered it. Then, it came again. Though her expression remained the same, the voice rang through her mind once more.

"Pitiful. Here you stand, shaking in fear at the mere echo of my voice.
"It's you.."
"And here, I believed you worthy of my power. Yet now, I see you for what you truly are. Weak. Pathetic. Before, you stood ready to bring down those who would stand in your way. Now, you lose sense at the mere murmur of my voice.
"I..I'm not.."
"Then prove it. Find fucking voice and set it to purpose."
"I won't..
"As I thought.

Kanade was at war in her own mind. But it was not with herself, but the one who had driven her actions all those years ago..

Though Kanade professed to being fine, her actions told Yuzuki that it was not entirely true. The shiver that ran through the other woman prompted Yuzuki's hand to rise upward to Kanade's forehead even as the patient's eyes shifted away from her again. There was no exceptional heat emission from the skin so it was not a fever, though Yuzuki had doubted it was to begin with. Yuzuki's frown deepened as she took in the situation.

She knew little, but what she did know was relevant. Kanade had been in the mental ward and now she was acting odd. Yuzuki was far from an expert in the psychiatric field, though she did have experience with it because of her relative, so she wasn't fit, nor ranked, to make a call on whether or not the release should be retracted for an observation period, because Kanade's reaction could have simply been from the shock of freedom. At the very least she could write a report on the situation when it was all said and done so it could be monitored by people who knew better.

For now, Yuzuki had to deal with it the best she could with what she had available. Having Ume there was more reassuring than it had been just moments ago, so the medic felt she could act without too much of a hesitation in forethought. "Alright, then. Let's finish patching up your hands. Then maybe we should get you some food," she said then added, "Tachibana-taichou can join us. It'll be my treat!" It was early enough that any of the food stalls or dine-in establishments would be fairly empty and Yuzuki always found food to be a comfort. She hoped the lack of people and the promise of good eats would do the trick for Kanade too, or at the very least, draw her out of her shaken reverie.

Ume's first thought and reaction would be to slap the girl, however, given her purpose and mission, that would be far from the objective. Scarring the woman any further wouldn't be ideal or morally right, anyway. For once, Ume stood back, a tad unsure of how to handle the obvious situation: the woman was hearing something, something that was unrealistic and far from reality; something that was not perceivable to Yuzuki and Ume.  The woman with plum strands of hair, lighter shades of highlights and darker tones of low-lights cocks her dainty head to the side, observing and ultimately confused. One thing was for certain, however: fear was instilled, coursing through the chilled veins of the patient.

The unsteadiness was easy to handle. It was something Ume could control! Returning to Kanade's side, she offered her assistance by holding her up; hand clasped gently around Kanade's opposing shoulder, as Ume's arm snaked around her shoulder blades and back. Just below the socket, Ume's hand would be, molding tenderly to the woman's frame. Perhaps it was a little uncalled for, but it could also be seen as a friendly gesture. Standing side-by-side, Ume chuckled. "I could go for a good meal and I definitely won't pass a free one! What do you say, Kanade?" She lightly shook her, trying to get her to return to reality whilst Yuzuki yearned to restore the little injuries on the client's hands. Hopefully, the two could accomplish something... move one step forward without having to look back.

The voice continued to rumble through her head, leaving Kanade's thoughts cloudy. She had just been released. There was no way she wanted to be locked away again! But if this continued, that was where she was headed. Already she was receiving odd looks from Ume and Yuzuki, as well as those passing by the scene. If she was to avoid being put away once more, she was going to have to conquer her opposition. Or at least act like it. Kanade's eyes shut tightly, her attempt at blanketing the voice that continually rang through her head. She could find a way to do it. After all, it was only a voice. How could a sound be so powerful.

"You can only suppress my voice for so long. And when you eventually give out, I will have show you what true power is.."

As the murmur in her mind seemed to dissipate, Kanade gently opened her eyes just as Yuzuki and Ume's offers of healing and food swirled through her ears. She blinked, as she looked to her hands. Kanade's head rose, with full intention to politely rejecting the offer. But before she could, a grumbling noise would be heard, loud enough to reach the ears of all three of them. Kanade's arms moved to cross over her stomach, her face suddenly a deep red as she looked toward the ground, the embarrassment obvious on her face. The girl may have been hungry, but that wasn't how she intended to let anyone know.

In many cases, Yuzuki believed people to be honest, but she was not naive and found that out of everything, stomachs were the most likely to tell the truth. At first her expression changed from the lines of concern to the uplifted form of a smile, but it was soon followed by a light laugh; it was a tone that lacked the innate but subtle huskiness of her speaking voice, instead taking on a more breezy quality. When it subsided she said,  "I'll take that as a yes, then. So let's get your hands looked at and we can get out of here."

Yuzuki was of the opinion that both Kanade and Ume would like to get past the area they had been delayed at for so long, so the medic reached for where Kanade had folded her hands over her stomach, intending to gently pull them away and into her own grasp so that she could apply chiyudo. Her effort was soft enough that any resistance met would leave the woman's hands where they were as Yuzuki didn't want to force her to do something she was uncomfortable with, even though the situation seemed to have eased.

SPOILER: Click to show

Spoiler
I had a post but then AK crashed on my phone. Sorry, again. ~_~

Laughter, too, escaped Ume's concealed lips; obviously amused and humored by Kanade's stomach. It's betraying rumble and grumble, that only grub could satisfy ultimately made the two aware that Kanade was trying to get rid of them. It was always ironic, how the body often had a mind of its own, separated from the brain and thoughts of the owner; more-so, how easily her tummy, in this case, could leaving her standing alone or 'back-stab' her own spoken words. In fact, her stomach must have missed the better quality meal, after all this time within the psychiatric ward. "Think of it this way, you've been isolated, even from delicious food! Your stomach's been missing out, too." She grins, snickering softly.

Standing beside Kanade, her arm that was once snaked around her shoulders now returning to gently rest beside her again, Ume observed the interaction between the two; oculars trailing back and forth. One didn't know how another would react to the tugging and pulling motion, especially a patient who was just being released. Not saying that Kanade would strike Yuzuki, but it was possible. Yuzuki's intention was all well and good, so it would be a shame for Kanade to reject the healing!

Her hand came unfolded from her person, palms facing up as she extended her arms out. Her hands weren't truly damaged, but Yuzuki had been so nice and helpful to her. At this stage, she couldn't turn down her assistance. Kanade's eyes  drifted towards Ume, her eyes scanning over the woman's being. She nodded her head lightly as she exhaled.

"Something to eat would be..nice."

Her voice was low. No one but the two standing before her would be able to hear the near mumble. Hell, they would barely be able to hear it themselves. She was beginning to become relaxed. She was free for the first time in years, and while she didn't know how to actually enjoy it, she wanted to use it to her advantage. Kanade wanted to be social again! She wanted to able to laugh and smile like before. If she could figure out how. Her eyes drifted back to Yuzuki. It was the first time she had truly looked at the woman. Her flaming red hair and icy blue eyes had drawn her attention. Kanade had become instantly enthralled with the woman. Her eyes locked onto her and, without noticing, her face became flushed immediately. She was lost in her own thoughts, and in the figure she saw before her.

"The hospital food isn't that bad," Yuzuki replied, partly musing to herself. She had eaten the food on more than one occasion when pulling double shifts without prior notice and she had even assisted in preparing the food when those assigned to the kitchen were short handed. Of course, she viewed the food served in the Second Division from a medical standpoint, rather than a flavor view, and it was reflected when she added, "It provides all the nutrients a patient needs for a balanced diet. Though I do wish they'd consider adding in herbal teas..."

Yuzuki's voice trailed off, thinking of a proposal to introduce teas with specific healing benefits, even though her hands were busy at work. Still warm from contact and when she had rubbed them together, the medic grasped each of Kanade's hands in one of her own and channeled her chiyudo through them. The focus was not on the surface where damage was superficial if not non-existent, but below where any soreness might rear its head the next day from sub-dermal bruising.

As she often was when doing her work, Yuzuki was oblivious to the stares of both Ume and Kanade, though not for long as she was done in a matter of seconds. She released Kanade's hands and looked up while reaching for the gloves she had stowed away in her pouch. Seeing the flush on Kanade's face, she remarked, "You should order elderberry and chamomile tea when we eat. It's delicious and can help fight off a fever." She slid her gloves back on and turned toward the gate murmuring to herself, "That would be a good one to add to the proposal..."

SPOILER: Click to show

Okay, guys, I am REALLY sorry for this one. ~//~;;

Ume's abdomen was starting to converse with Kanade's, to say at the very least! Rumbly in her tumbly reverberated from the interior of her stomach to the exterior world, resulting in a flushing of her softly pale cheeks into an embarrassed shade of crimson. Closing her eyes for a sudden moment, as if to hide herself beneath the lids of her flesh from the onlooking women. Rubbing the nape of her neck, she laughed lightly and quietly, remaining beside Kanade. A second or two progressed, her eyes fluttering back open as composure once returned.

Gaze shifting to Kanade, she noticed the blush against the emerald strands of hair and purple-pink pools upon the alabaster canvas of her visage. Ume trailed Kanade's direction of vision, concluding that she was almost mesmerized and in awe over the sight of Yuzuki. Blinking rapidly, Ume had a blank gaze as the healer murmured the healthiness of the second division's food, noticing her seriousness. She found it quite amusing that while she looked at it in a medical and nutritional aspect, Ume was more concerned about the taste. Able to stifle a giggle, she watched until the patchwork was done, casually observing the conversation, even as Yuzuki delved back into the realms of nutrition and more natural remedies; conducting mental notes for later, should she catch a fever in the future!

Overwhelmed by the sights, the smells, and all the uncanny pleasantries a new life beyond the ward had to offer her, Kanade nodded in a daze. ''I... will. Thank you, but I think I'll get something elsewhere!'' she said, retracting her hands from Yuzuki's and hurriedly bounding off, not quite prepared to interact with her fellow Shinigami on such short notice.

[Kanade exited]

Still mumbling to herself, Yuzuki wandered out through the gate, thinking of teas. Ume, lost in her own thoughts, too wandered away, off to find something more appreciated by her palate.

Yuzuki exited in accordance with activity rules. As Ume was the last one, the thread is now ended.

Thread Rewards:
Kanade - 8 RP
Yuzuki - 7 RP
Ume - 7 RP

Points Added, Thread Locked