Chapter 20: Meanwhile X
Captain-General Yamamoto looked out at the row of captains assembled before him for the meeting that morning, scowling, his long whiskers drooping lower as his old eyes narrowed on the Gotei 13.
Or, in this case, Seven.
"This is the saddest count for attendance ever," he finally griped at them, watching Captains Soifon and Kuchiki nod in unison. "I know some of you are without your vice-captains for a while, but that's no reason we can't hold a decent captains meeting."
Shunsui cleared his throat, his lazy smile exchanged for mock seriousness. "Well, Captain-General," he began with rare formality, "the official story is that Captain Ukitake is under the weather."
All eyes went to Retsu, who appeared surprised for a few seconds, before nodding. "He's ... resting."
Yamamoto's stern gaze turned from her back to Shunsui.
"Do you have an official story for Captain Kurotsuchi as well?"
Shunsui scratched his half-shaven neck, trying not to grin. "He's deep in research. At the moment. Sir."
"And for Captain Komamura?"
"Eh ... no."
Zaraki's eyes slid to Retsu standing beside him as Yamamoto sighed and looked to the double doors behind them, waiting for one of the missing captains to come straggling in.
"You didn't tell me he was there, too," Zaraki said lowly to her, accusation hinting his tone.
Retsu lifted an eyebrow, fingers tempted to toy with the single braid of hair she now kept to one side. "Oh? I didn't think to. He's just having a little fun."
Zaraki frowned.
"Just a lark," she said quietly, smiling a bit at him. "Nothing serious. Nothing anyone would take seriously." She could see the Captain of Eleventh wasn't amused. "I had a lovely time at dinner."
Zaraki's scowl lessened. "Hmm. So did I. We'll have to do so again. Soon?"
Retsu nodded, offering more of a smile this time.
Shunsui sighed, taking half a step back from the line in preparation to leave. "Well, looks like this is it," he said, a slow grin starting across his face, itching to reclaim his spot on the ridge, or wherever else offered the best vantage point. "Not really enough to hold a proper meeting, so ..."
Yamamoto looked down the line.
An irritated Soifon, rather serene-looking Retsu, typically suave and aloof Byakuya, lackadaisical Shunsui.
And no-nonsense Hitsugaya and the hard-as-nails Zaraki.
Shunsui watched Yamamoto, waited for the General to dismiss them, to give up, to give in.
When Yamamoto spoke, his voice was a low bass. "I'm only as old as you think, gentlemen; not as stupid."
There was a polite grumbling of disagreement, during which Yamamoto cleared his throat.
" ... Meeting adjourned."