When Aizen came to, he calmly took in his surroundings.
Finding himself within a fairly decently sparse wooded area that was likely still within the walls of soul society if the soft clattering of sword play was anything to go by. For a moment he almost found himself grateful to the cat. She certainly chose a rather nice spot to drop them off at.
There was something inherently pleasant about the sounds of training, at least to Aizen, so he couldn't help close his eyes again to simply take in the surroundings. Including the soft whispers as the wind blew through the foliage above and the blades of grass ticking the back of his neck. Calming without distu-
"That cat will face justice in the future."
Ruined.
Like many things that made up soul society, ironically enough.
Slowly he opened his eyes with the natural decorum he had grown to find natural since even before his time in the academy. People were a lot more polite when you were polite to them. Plus, always being the calm one meant you were always able to keep control over the situation. Like a grove in the river bed guiding the water without forcibly manipulating the flow.
Something his companion could certainly do with learning about; glancing toward the irate man who had stood up with the help of a tree. Sosuke knew he unfortunately had better things to do than sit around all day so he too decided it was about time to raise. Of course he was hardly in a rush to do such.
"Whatever do you mean Tosen?"
Asking with a hint of care that the man no doubt would pick up with his enhanced sense - of course he couldn't see the calculative glance towards his strangely present arm.
He mused while briefly being reminded of the reason why he had such a perfect opportunity for discussion with a great mind ruined.
A frown Tosen would never be able to know of formed across his perfectly shaped lips. Moving a hand to slowly massage his temples as he began to run through various possible alternative plans. Getting into a spat with Cheshire was nowhere near advantageous but at least he had gained something from it.
Shaking his head while returning his attention to pandering to his loyal vassal.
"She believes she can do and say whatever she wants yet has to rely on cowardly tricks such as poison to take us out… Such cravenness cannot be allowed in the world you seek to make."
He thought with a smile that definitely didn't reach his eyes as he listened to some more self justifying squabble that the blind man threw out. If nothing else it was certainly inventive. However Aizen realised that there were not enough hours left in the day to listen to everything Tosen had to say.
Accidentally letting his feelings slip out a little more than he perhaps intended as he replied to Tosen's rambling complaints.
"I do not think for a second that she needed to resort to such methods - it was merely the most effective way to cleanly resolve our two groups' issues. An all out fight wouldn't have been quiet. If anything she did us a favour by sneaking us out herself so there is no need to hold such a grudge."
Tosen seemed quite taken aback that Aizen was not actually upset by the "disrespect" he was shown by that pesky cat; a fact that caused the man to lightheartedly chuckle. His eyes no longer looked toward his servant but instead out toward the Rukon. Hand moving to adjust the glasses upon his face.
"I believe we have some friends to make so do try to calm yourself, Tosen, the next set of individuals I believe to be a lot less merciful to insolence…"
Beginning to walk without worrying about whether Tosen would wake up quickly enough to catch up.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
"I got the blood~!"
Merrily the cat waltzed back into the office while twirling a syringe filled with blood around one finger while the other held her usual cane as she actually used it for its intended purpose for once.
Of course Isane was not too pleased about the captain's treatment of the blood sample.
"Captain Cheshire you might break it!"
She panickedly exclaimed as she hurried over to try to take the syringe before it could fly out the cat's grasp to shatter on the floor or splattered against a wall. Such a scene got a merry laughter from the other captain who made no move to help her lieutenant. Instead choosing to sip on some prime green tea.
Cheshire, ever the berk, proceeded to use all the sleight of hand in the book to keep that syringe from the giant girls grasp. Winking at her third seat who got a cheeky grunt on her face as she instantly understood the assignment given to her. Isane not noticing any of this as she continued to whine.
"Chehehe~ why haven't you taken it yet; I have better things to- whoops!"
It finally happened while she was twirling it around her finger once more; those thin medical gloves had good traction but clearly not enough as it flew from her slender digits to sail through the air.
Isane practically shut down as she could only watch the "Sosuke Aizen" label do a parabolic arc…
Straight into Hiyori's awaiting hands.
The 3rd seat quickly got to work in placing it into the onsite system for quickly studying the blood samples. She may not be able to understand any of the numbers of what she was looking for. But she was good at what she did and what she did was the manual labour for her captain.
As such she could at least do "basic tasks" like setting up equipment for Cheshire's various never ending series of experiments.
So it was easy enough to do something she had 10 years to practice for.
Seeing that the sample was safe caused the frozen Isane to blink a few times before falling; collapsing to her knees with a drawn out sigh of relief. A sight that caused all three others in the room to let out a laugh at her expense. Making her relief turn to indignation as she quickly pouted toward them all.
Sadly their fun times had to take a back seat to their duties as the door opened once more - waltzing in was an old man with a fairly similar looking pair of younger men. All those in the room turned to and recognised the trio. Not surprising as they were the head & collar of the nobles clans.
The Kuchiki.
"I do hope you don't mind me bringing along my grandson."
"Forgot we were a family clinic~."
The cat teased them in a clearly lighthearted manner which caused Sojun, the lieutenant and son of the current captain, to nervously laugh while rubbing the back of his head.
Ginrei merely sighed as he knew the captain of 12th was… Excessively eccentric.
His grandson was not quite as accepting.
"Show some respect to your superiors!"
Her hat bounced lightly due to her ears darting up in shock while she straightened her posture; turning a finger to point at herself as she tilted her head in confusion. Looking at the young man who didn't even seem to be twenty years old yet. She then had to ask the question that was on everyone's mind.
"You talking to me?"
Raising a brow with everyone else just watching in a mixture of horror and shock.
"Of course I am talking to you; how can you act so brazenly not only in front of your own captain but while talking to the captain of another squad. Such poor behaviour not only could cause issues between squads but shows your own captain in a very poor light. So show some respect immediately!"
Ginrei could only rest his face in his palm while Sojun looked on gormlessly.
"Well I unfortunately didn't bring any lollipops to keep the kid's mouth shut…"
Cheshire said while turning towards the captain & lieutenant Kuchiki. Lifting her arms up in a shrug while having the audacity to look apologetic to the two causing the two to be fairly mortified. Obviously the fairly timid Isane was no better yet captain Unohana couldn't help let out a chuckle as she enjoyed her tea.
Today proved to be a great day indeed.
"You-!"
"HOW DARE YOU TALK TO CAPTAIN CHESHIRE LIKE THAT YOU LITTLE BRAT!"
That noble boy practically jumped out his robes as the expressive third seat came stomping over to throw a finger right into his chest. Repeatedly poking him with every word she said. Not even giving him a chance to comment about how, even as young as he was, he towered over the tiny shinigami.
Although after a moment of putting himself together he soon took note of a very important detail that the girl had let slip.
"C-captain?"
It was at this point that his father decided to come in for the rescue.
"Yes captain."
Holding his boys shoulders as he smiled apologetically to those within the room; his lack of arrogance and honest resourcefulness doing wonders in calming down Hiyori who used to be the same rank as him.
"I apologise for my son jumping to incorrect conclusions, he simply isn't experienced and failed to recognise the prestigious captain of 12th, a fault in my own teachings."
"How can he not realise it's her when nobody else dresses so weirdly?!"
"... Honestly I find that more offensive than anything else I've heard today."
It was likely a good thing that her mouth wasn't visible under her mask as the closed eyes and raised brows were more than enough to cause Hiyori to sheepishly deflate.
"Perhaps you should consider incorporating your captain hiyori into your appearance as you seem to have left it behind… Again."
"Oh yea~ we have those~!"
Slapping her closed fist into her palm while holding her cane under her armpit.
"Hahaha also let me take this as a chance to thank you again for your help; I doubt I would still be around to enjoy moments like this if not for your help in combating my weak constitution."
Those words only made Byakuya even more ashamed than he already was - fortunately the cat was done tormenting him as she focused on his father instead.
Waving her hand about as if batting away his thanks.
"Bah~ that's not something a healthy young man should be saying to an old pussy like me!"
"Only you could say I'm healthy to my face, captain Cheshire."
"Heh~ I doubt anyone would say anything bad about you unless it was behind your back~."
Cat openly teased the noble man about his background to which he could only sheepishly scratch the side of his cheek with a faint smile. Clearly not opposed to the light hearted conversation. Though the gap caused Cheshire's crimson eyes to fall back on the boy who seemed to want to vanish immediately.
"I also hear you may be getting yourself a new brother in law, something you no doubt want to be around for, who recently jumped over to your squad?"
This time it was Ginrei who spoke up with no small amount of pride.
"Yes quite the intriguing genius that one, though his potential isn't as high as Byakuya's, the power of his zanpakuto allows him to free and manipulate the spirits of other swords."
"Tsk certainly troublesome for those kids these days who refuse to polish up on their basics."
"Indeed."
Both of the old heads nodded with Unohana doing the same from her seat.
Contributing much to the strained smiles of the "kids" in the room.
"Oh and we can't forget about the sweetheart of little Kuchiki over there~!"
Once more the room grew tense as Byakuya narrowed his eyes as did Ginrei; though that did little to stop her from continuing to tease.
"At least you Kuchiki know not to draw swords abruptly."
Sojun showed more shock as he looked at his son with clear bewilderment.
"What is this about?"
That caused the aggressive youth to freeze as he didn't know how to discuss this.
"W-well-"
"We can discuss this later as it is a matter best left behind closed doors… The real question is how are you so knowledgeable about this, Captain Cheshire?"
His cautious tone made Byakuya shocked as he was well acquainted with how the Kuchiki name made them often the most powerful voice in a discussion. Making him unconsciously look towards the five foot cat with even more caution. Even Sojun appeared to be somewhat more serious than usual.
"Now~ now~ it just so happens that I had a connection to that girl so watching her meant I saw you two getting all lovey dovey~♥"
Immediately all seriousness was lost as Byakuya could only stand there with a crimson face.
Thought a certain captain who was watching the drama play out with glee.