Better Late than... Later?

"Oh no. Oh geez, oh no..."

Obie ran down the streets of the Seireitei, his large sunhat flopping in the wind as he turned a corner, nearly barreling over some poor innocent bystander that happened to be standing there. "Sorry, sorry! I'm in a hurry sorry!" The nearly hit-and-run victim simply looked on as Obie ran as fast as his legs could carry him. "Oh why did I have to spend so much time tilling the field today? I mean yes the carrots are coming in nicely and the herbs needed to be replanted... But I knew I had to run this delivery across the district and... Aargh!" He shook his head rapidly, putting all his concentration back into running as he gripped the straps of his backpack tightly.

"Oooooohhh the Captain's gonna kill me if I'm late again! And then I'll be dead! And who's gonna watch over the garden then? Oh god I'm late I'm late I'm late!"

Aoi had run out of supplies for her division... They always needed bruise balm and why waste healing on stupid injuries? The vanguards didn't put up with weaklings who went crying to Fourth every time someone got a broken toe or shattered fibula!

But bruise balm was nice and bandages...they always ran out of bandages.

It was nice to get out of the division for once, so she had volunteered herself to go see about those needed items. So she hummed a happy tune and set off on adventure across places unknown!

Her adventure was halted as she found a bunny rabbit rushing headlong straight for her, looking about as panicked as bunnies could get. She knew bunnies, this one's poor little heart would burst. Aoi's hands cupped her mouth as she called to the poor beleaguered thing. "Heeey there! You're gonna hurt yourself, you should slow down."

Okay Obie, you got this, you got this. Just keep running and we'll have these supplies dropped off at- His inner pep talk was immediately brought to a halt as he heard someone yelling... at him? Why would they-

BAM, right into Aoi. Obie's sunhat went flew right up into the air as he bounced off the Shinigami and landed right on his rear. "Oh god I'm sorry please don't hurt me!" He quickly curled up into a ball, throwing a small coinpurse in Aoi's direction before covering up his head and neck with his arms. "There's all my money, just please take it and don't hurt me! Also I'm sorry for running into you!"

Perfect strategy, Obie! They'll be sure to leave you alone now! The scared shinigami heard his equally scared Zanpakuto congratulate him.

Thanks Chikyū!

Aoi had not expected that at all. Really when someone yelled at you to slow down you had best listen! This bun had not, and to her shock had run straight into her. While they bounced off to the ground, Aoi merely was pushed back a few steps, a startled little sound escaping her as the person then began immediate cowering.

She blinked for a moment, her eyes following the coin purse that she snatched from the air, before a glance up caused her to see the floating sunhat. Also snatching that, she smiled happily and stepped closer as she intended to put the hat back on the poor little bun. If it didn't crawl away intos ome hole... "There there, its okay. Look, its your haaat~ I'm perfectly fine, so no worries."

"Are you okay? Your heart is gonna burst as this rate, you should take some deep calming breaths!" She gave a nod of her red curl covered head and then began showing it how to breathe deeply, it would be really bad if it forgot how in its panic.

Obie continued cowering until he heard the victim of his bumping reassure him that everything was in fact quite alright. He risked peeking through his hands and saw... Oh, it was another shinigami. Phew. That's much less scary than he originally thought. She was even nice enough to put his sunhat back on his head! Slowly uncurling himself from his protective position, Obie stood up and adjusted his sunhat before bowing at Aoi.

"Uh, sorry about all that. I was uh... in quite a hurry, haha." He raised his head back up and scratched a dirt-covered cheek, embarrassed. "I'm kinda... running an errand for my Captain and I got sidetracked earlier and I'm late aaaaaaand then all this happened. Sorry again." Oh geez now I'm going to be even more late and I hit someone I'm in so much trouble aaaaaaaa "I'm uh... Obie. From the Fourth Division. Sorry."

Aoi's head tilted just slightly as the man bowed, before she too bowed in return since it seemed polite to do so. Such a silly bun... A small laugh was her first reply to his apology as she straightened up, another shake of the head following. "It's fine! I'm sturdier than I look."

She gave a firm pat to her chest and smiled, almost wishing to wipe some of that dirt off his poor nervous face. Since he was late though... he might get in trouble? Aoi couldn't let a Bun get in trouble and she pursed her lips before.. Eureka! Her hands clasped together in a revelation while her smile grew more. "I suppose I can escort you then! You won't get in too much trouble if you say you were helping out another Captain, right? I'm Aoi, from the Eleventh!"

"While I'm here you can help me get some bandages and bruise balm, Obie. Perfect excuse, right?" He seemed to apologize a lot... He was such a nervous little bunny and Aoi restrained her glee. Bun bun bun, bun bun... She'd always help a bun, and waved to him in a motion meant to let Obie the Bun lead the way.

"Right, right. Good point, I probably won't get into much trouble helping a Capta-" Obie stopped as his eyes widened in abject horror. Fumbling with the glasses hanging from his neck, he put them on and looked again at Aoi. "Captain Captain CAPTAIN AOI!" Obie rapidly saluted with both hands before settling on using just his right hand, which was now shaking. "Oh god I'm so sorry Captain Aoi! I didn't mean to, I wasn't... Oooooooh deaaaaar"

Oh god I bumped into a Captain and now she's going to kill me. And then my Captain will kill me for being dead!

Oh god Obie we hit a Captain we should run!

We can't run, she's a Captain! She'll catch us before we even turn away!

Oh god what do we do?!

I don't know!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAA

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

At first it seemed Obie was perfectly fine and willing to help her but then he panicked something fierce after putting on a pair of glasses. Why was he saluting like that?

"Remember your deep breathing! Don't stop breathing!" After being reminded that Bunnies didn't do well to sudden shocks, Aoi began waving her arms in worried circles at the poor panicking man. That wasn't what she intended at all! She just wanted to soothe him!

How come none of this was working!? Blue eyes wide with panic, she darted around in front of the man as she attempted stronger soothing methods. Should she pat his head? What if he panicked more?!

"It's fine it's fiiine! I wasn't hurt, its okaaay! You can call me Aoi and you can help me get things I need and it'll all be okay!"

Captain Aoi seemed… Okay with it? Was this some sort of trap? He wasn’t dead yet, he could confirm that by the rapid beating of his heart. Maybe… everything was okay? Obie’s hand slowly fell to his side, where he bowed one last time before looking up at Aoi. “Ahaha, sorry. I guess I… overreacted a bit? I really didn’t mean to bump into you though, Captain Aoi. Just was sorta rushing because I’m late for a delivery and my eyes aren’t really the best and, well you know the rest.” He reached up with a gloved hand and removed his glasses from his face, letting them hang from his neck yet again.

“But I uh, wouldn’t mind helping a Captain out, of course. You said that you needed some bandages and bruise balm right? I’ve got to run some stock inventory after I drop these supplies off anyway, so I’m sure I can get some extras for you. We tend to have a bit of an overstock at times, so it should be just fine!” Obie gave Aoi a nervous smile as both his gloved hands fidgeted absentmindedly. If they don’t kill me for being late, that is. I can’t give supplies away when I’m dead! Oh god I’m getting later just standing here talking to the Captain! “We uh, should probably start heading there now. I’m… already really late as it is, haha.”

"Well that's pretty understandable then. I don't mind, not like you could hurt me with a bump like that." Aoi knew she was a petite woman but she was pretty sturdy despite the looks, as proven by his bouncing off of her. She was damned proud of the even if he was a smaller man, even smaller than her Rin to look at him. She waved off the apology, not needing one in the least. If... he had trouble seeing why did he take his glasses off then?

He'd get her the goods? Aaah her new best friend! Her eyes lit up and she nodded rather enthusiastically, making her loose curls float around her head. "Thank you thank you! That'd be soo much help. You have no idea!"

His hesitance was noted and it took only a moment for Aoi to figure out a solution to this whole...late problem!

"...I can get you there quickly, hop on!" He was late, so Aoi turned around and bent a bit, holding out her arms. She really didn't need to... he could just hop on her small form if he wanted with ease. Obie would not be too much later if he got a piggyback ride from the tiny captain!

“Yeah, right! I couldn’t possibly hurt a Captain what was I thinking ahaha…” Obie flailed his arms around for a few seconds. “I’m all skin and bones, anyway. Sorry, didn’t mean to imply you were weak or anything Captain Aoi!” Oh god if I hit her any harder I might have actually hurt myself. Captains are scary… “But um, there’s really no need to thank me all that much. It’s my duty, right? Have to make sure everybody can stay healthy and all that. A-And always help a Captain in need, of course!” He laughed nervously, twirling his thumbs.

And then the nervous albino shinigami tilted his head to the side as Aoi bent down slightly. Uh, okay. Does she want me to… climb on her back? I don’t… Is this a normal thing? Am I going to get in trouble for doing this? His eyes widened in fear again. Am I going to get in trouble for not doing this? Oh god I better do this! Obie slowly, carefully climbed onto Aoi’s back, his hands now clenching onto his backpack straps tightly. “It’s uh… it’s just right up ahead, Captain.” Oh no, oh geez. What have I gotten myself into?

Aoi was sure Obie could hurt a Captain if he hit them just right when running into them... Best not to scare the poor thing though, she was kind of a monster.

"You can stop apologizing~" In the most patient of singsong voices, the Captain spoke and raised her finger with a twirl. "I am kind of...small so its normal I guess to worry about hurting me!"

An advantage yes a good advantage. No one expected her to be that powerful until they were taken down! Those thoughts kept her happy at night, not worried over her looks. She was busy reminding herself of that internally that she almost missed his rather nervous response. It needed some sort of reply so she grinned and gave a firm nod. "Yeah healthy for everyone!"

She only had to wait a few short moments before the man climbed up, he wasn't too heavy! If he hadn't been skin and bones or taller she might have a bit more trouble, but instead she gripped his legs firmly and gave a laugh. An excited, worrisome for Buns laugh. "Off we go! Hold on Bu- I mean Obie!"

It was up ahead so she went straight, with reckless and irresponsible uses of flashstep at dizzying speeds. Going slow was no fun at all and being a Captain got you perks!

Well, at least Captain Aoi seems nice enough. I-I mean of course she’s nice, she’s a Captain. Oh but scary too. All Captains are scary. And nice? Oh god I hope so… The garden is so much safer. Not many Captains visit, it’s quiet, the earth never says anything mean to me, it’s great! Obie only had a few seconds to worry about Aoi’s spooky laugh before he finally caught on to what she was saying. “Wait, hold on for wh-“

FWOOSH! Captain Aoi suddenly began flashstepping at dizzying speeds away from the spot they were previously standing at, with Obie barely having enough time to hold on to his sunhat before it was lost to the winds. Also he was screaming.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH” Both Zanpakuto and shinigami were soon screaming in unison as they rushed through the Seireitei on the back of the tiny captain, Obie’s skinny arms flailing in the wind behind him. I’M GONNA DIE. I’M GONNA DIEEEEE. I’M GONNA THROW UP, AND THEN I’M GONNA DIIIIIIIEEEEEEEE!

Obie's screams of joy were wonderful! He was enjoying this! Aoi's smile grew more and more as she started a steady stream of laughter, this was fun she NEVER gave others piggybacks!

She must now, in fact, find more people to.

With his arms up in joy, like those who ride the thingys called rolly coasters, Aoi quickly brought him to his apparent destination. It was a building and looked...official looking...

Her head turned back as she skidded to a halt in front of the doors. "Hey hey is this it? Its a building and it looks official and stuff."

They could totally keep going if it wasn't, Aoi didn't mind one bit.

Obie's screams of panic lasted the entire trip. And even lasted after Captain Aoi had stopped in front of their destination and asked him if this was indeed the place. His response was thus:

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAohhereweare" He fell backwards on Aoi's back, still held up by her grip on his legs. "It'sjustinsidethatbuildingthere" The poor terrified shinigami's eyes were wide as he struggled to catch his breath after the harrowing journey he was just on. All twenty seconds of it.

Oh my god I almost died from a piggyback ride. I almost died. From a piggyback ride. I think I'm actually afraid of piggyback rides forever now. Oh god I hope Captain Aoi doesn't find out she'll probably piggyback me to death!

"I'll just... wait here... for a moment." Obie said exasperatedly. He could still hear his heart thumping in his chest as he dangled from the captain's back onto the street. I reaaaaaaally want to be back in my garden now...

"Oh! Wow, I was right." She'd gotten it right on the first try and he'd...really enjoyed that. Aoi's smile was wide at such an enthusiastic response to her ride. Was his breathing too hard? She began her reminder once more, unsure if he was really the type to forget breathing yet or not. "Deep breaths Obie! Air is good for you!"

The excitement must have been too much for his little bunny heart, so she knelt down and gently lowered his legs to the ground. She then flipped around, hopping over his prone legs to crouch and poke his side just a bit. "I'll wait with you then. Can't get those bandages without can I? You know Buns should really be more careful about things like excitement. Your heart could stop."

Aoi had not yet learned that people like bunnies and bunnies were not in fact the same and did not have the same physiology. No one had the heart to tell her.

“Y-Yeah… We found it…” Obie shakingly stood to his feet and fumbled to get his glasses on his face, confirming that this was in fact the correct place he needed to be. He totally didn’t tell Captain Aoi it was because he just wanted to stop, no ma’am. Oh thank god it’s finally over. I’ll have to remember to never travel with a Captain again. What if they all do this? … Oh god what if Captain Lakshmi offers me a piggyback ride? Could I refuse? Would she kill me if I do? Did Captain Aoi just call me a bunny WAIT WHAT

“I-I’m not a bunny, Captain!” Obie exclaimed half-heartedly, pouting a bit. “I mean… not to say you’re wrong or be rude o-or anything, but I’m definitely not a rabbit or anything!” Just because I spend all my time in the garden and I only mainly just eat vegetables and I like sleeping in a dark, quiet little cave of a room and I look the way I do doesn’t mean I’m a bunny! Why does everyone keep calling me a bunny… “A-Anyway… We should really, just… head inside? Then I can get your supplies for you and everything. Oh god they’re probably furious that I’m so late oh geez…”

"..." The bunny had a bunny complex about being a bunny. Internally Aoi was breaking into a million pieces of adorable wanting to hug and pet and cuddle, while externally all that sounded was a little happy squeak. Pout...pouty bunny...

Her hand reached out of its own violation and patted his cheek, the other coming up to her mouth to stifle the cooing of cuteness that was attempting to escape. Was he saying words? He was...something about inside and late and angry...

"Inside, yes inside. Lets go, B-Obie! If they are angry they can answer to me! Unless well its Lakshmi, then I can't help you she's kind of scary when she's angry." Aoi's courage only lasted that far! She would protect the bun as best she could but sheesh she wasn't taking on the medical captain! Her hand moved from patpats to raise in the air, a fist of victory for the pair as she then hurried towards the doorway.

Obie heard Captain Aoi make some kind of squeaking sound, and he couldn’t help but sigh. She’s not hearing a single word I’m saying, is she? I could scream that I’m not a bunny until I’m blue in the face and I think Captain Aoi wouldn’t care at al-why is she touching me He froze slightly as she touched his cheek, his eyes focused on her hand. “R-Right… Inside. We should go inside right now and then everything will be better inside. Inside.” He moved slightly away from Aoi as she raised her hand to the sky and ran into the building, Obie following a few feet behind her.

Oh geez, and she’s even scared of Captain Lakshmi? But if Captain Aoi is this scary, and she’s scared of Captain Lakshmi… Oh dear oh no I have to be even more scared now. Oh geez.

The two of them eventually made their way inside of the building, where a bored-looking shinigami sat with his head propped up at the front desk. His eyes passed over Obie, giving an almost imperceptible nod, but once he saw Aoi he stood up straighter in his seat. “Captain, pleasure seeing you here! How can I help you?”

“S-She’s uh… She’s with me, Toru. The Captain wanted me to help her with some supplies, and I uh… I’m helping.” Obie said, standing at the front desk and twirling his gloved thumbs. Seemingly satisfied, Toru the Front Desk Assistant nodded and pointed down the left hall of the building.

“Alright then, you know the way. Wouldn’t want to keep the captain waiting.” Nodding, Obie began slowly plodding down the hallway, adjusting his supply-filled backpack on his shoulders.

“Right this way, umm… Captain.”

Aoi did not notice Obie's reluctance to be near her. Aoi had not noticed MUCH really. She was too busy just being pleased with the Bunny who hated being called a bunny and not caring. She didn't care about the building, or who else was around or anything as she made her way inside with her little bunny buddy.

Someone else was speaking so she had to focus! Blue eyes glanced over at Desk Man and focused finally, Desk man getting a smile for his efforts as she let Obie speak for her. She was a Captain! She had...dignity and stuff. People could speak for her! Aoi gave appropriate dignified nods at appropriate intervals and attempted to look solemn, her arms crossing as she just ended up looking pouty really.

Obie knew the way at least and with the desk person spoken to, she began to follow him... Though... her promise! She called back to the desk worker, Tonu, and waved with a grin as the lie she had said she would follow through with dripped from her tongue. "Please forgive him for the lateness! I stole him for this, its not his fault this time."

Yeah, score points with the bun bun! She turned back and hurried to catch up with the man, smiling up at him with her eyes closed. "Shouldn't get in too much trouble now, maybe. Just gotta tell everyone we meet that and maybe someone will believe me."

Hallways hallways hallways... So many hallways in this place. Why the person in charge of this building decided to place the storehouse at the veeeeeeery back Obie had no idea. But storehouses are storehouses... Even if the one back at 4th Division headquarters was way nicer. And it had his garden too! I mean well technically it's Captain Lakshmi's garden because she's the Captain but I take care of it the most! A-As long as that's okay with her, I guess...

Aoi's coverup story seemed to be working just fine as well! While the others never really paid Obie no mind during the storehouse inventories, they all seemed to give him and Captain Aoi plenty of room as they traveled. Maybe having a Captain help isn't too bad? Still terrifying. Very terrifying. Also I still might die. "The um... room's just around this corner. I'm um, sorry if it's kinda messy? And dark? I kinda find it the most comfortable, okay..."

Obie eventually led Aoi to a large oak door, where he proceeded to pull out a set of bronze keys on a ring. "We're um, here. Just give me a moment to find the right key and we can get inside. Oh dear, which one was it again..."

It sure was labyrinthine in here. Did she even know that word? Maybe. Aoi knew lots of things, like that this man was a bunny. She followed him closely, watching for nose twitches or other things... She even contemplated poking his side a few times and seeing him squeak. But restraint was the most important part of being a Captain!

She watched the people avoiding them with interest and figured it was probably due to her recent promotion. Whoops, she had sent quite a few of her new men to this squad... The red head muttered softly to herself, ignoring the avoidance with ease of long practice after a few moments. "It was their own fault.... Oh! Um, that's fine. I don't mind at all, I'm not the greatest at housework and organizing. I'm best at stabbing really, doesn't leave much room for cleaning know-how though!"

Dark and messy... a BUNNY DEN! She held in her excitement just barely, afraid it would scare him off... Soon though they reached the door, she peeked around him at the keyring and blinked as she watched before a finger poked out at one. "...Maybe that one?"

She could be helpful!

Best at stabbing Best At Stabbing BEST AT STABBING Oh my gooooooooood what have I done I walked in with the Stab Captain! What did she mean it was their fault? Oh god oh god oh god OH GOD To Aoi it would seem that Obie just decided to stare very intently at a single key before jumping at her poking of the key.

"AAAAAAA OKAY LET'S TRY THAT ONE!" Obie immediately thrust the key into the lock, but unfortunately it was not the correct choice. "OKAY KEEP TRYING!" One after another he kept throwing keys into the lock, before he eventually got to the last key. A perfect fit! Off into the room he goes! And by that it of course means he trips over his own feet straight into the darkened storeroom face first.

"Owwww... Although I suppose if there's a place to be hurt in, this would probably be it..." Obie said, his voice muffled from the wooden floor his face now found itself on. His sunhat now covered his head entirely, the fallen shinigami looking like he had a giant straw circle for a head now. "Umm... give me a moment. The uh, backpack is kinda... heavy." Oh god I better get up before she "the best at stabbings" me!

Unaware of the huge panic her words had caused in her little bunny companion, she watched him stare and stare and stare... Maybe the gloves made it hard to figure out which one was which?

"Huh... You should start marking them. Don't be nervous, its fine! I won't be angry if you keep getting the wrong key." Completely mistaking his panic as that of disappointing a captain, she wished to patpat but held herself back. Obie might break into tiny pieces...

A happy laugh sounded as the man finally, after much panic rushing, got the right key! "Good job Obie, you di-Aaah!"

Aoi ran over, worried over the bun who was now sprawled across the floor from his hurried rush into the room. She lifted up the sunhat that had replaced his head, blue eyes shining with worry as she crouched again. "Want me to take the backpack? Are you okay b-Obie? I know like two healing spells, I can help you! You shouldn't get hurt at all, not even here in fourth."

He was from fourth but she knew a little too! He couldn't see his face so if it was hurt a little she could totally help! Buns needed pampers and adoring, not hurtings.

Mark the keys! Why didn’t I think of that? …Seriously why haven’t I thought of that. I guess scary stab Captains are pretty smart after all. N-Not to say that I didn’t think she wasn’t smart to begin with! Oh god what if she’s reading my mind RIGHT NOW AND HEARD THAT Obie wasn’t even sure that Aoi could read his mind. But why take the chance? “Sorry sorry sorry sorry!” Obie repeated, still lying on the ground. He began to rapidly flail his arms and legs as he tried to roll himself over, the backpack making an excellent makeshift counter-weight to help facilitate this. After a few tries, Obie managed to slip out of the backpack and stood up, dusting himself off.

“I uh, think I’m okay. Thank you?” He began to pat himself down for injuries, wincing slightly as he touched his nose. Oh dear, not my nose… dumb wooden floor, bruising my dumb nose. Obie sighed deeply and reached into his robes, pulling out a small cylindrical container. He popped the top off and dipped in his finger, which came back out coated in a slightly green sheen. I guess it’s a good thing I carry my own bruise balm with me. Those garden herbs definitely work their magic. Heh, magic. Obie covered his nose in the balm, wrinkling it a bit to make sure he didn’t miss any sore areas. Satisfied, he closed the tiny container and put it back into his robes, turning back to look at the large storeroom.

“Okay so, umm… All of the stuff that’s in that bag is supposed to be about three rows over this way,” he added, pointing off in an eastern-ish direction. “So we uh, should be able to get your own supplies while I take inventory. I can just have to subtract them from the total before I make my final tally.” With a concentrated effort, Obie picked the backpack back off the ground and started walking across the dimly lit floor. “Just follow me C-Captain Aoi.”