damned_institute | Nightshift 26: Hallway Outside M1

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Nightshift 26: Hallway Outside M1 - M40 Blocks

This corridor looked almost the same. Still quiet, though now he noticed more people about. At least that meant he hadn't run into any monsters. He ran along the hall until he saw the door that had caused him and Dr. Birkin so much trouble. From the day now, he knew that at the end of this hall was almost a lobby with the hall to the Sun Room and Cafeteria to the left. He didn't want to go there, so this was the end of the blocks. Right? No bathroom. He must have missed something.

Armand backtracked until he found another door that opened easily.

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Tatsumi was tempted to proceed on his own once he heard their disbelief. There were ways to make his plan work still. But the risk was great, too great, and he couldn't afford to be wasteful.

Always seek a profit.

He watched as Rangiku moved off, and considered the other options for a moment. Looking to the pair still with him, he shook his head. "I doubt there are enough here still able to guard the doors. What other tasks does your group need done? Perhaps Rangiku-san and I can devote ourselves to them." Along with Xigbar, if the man ever bothered to show up. This was the second night he was late, and his initial impression on Tatsumi hadn't been favorable.

Rukia watched Renji as he spoke, somewhat surprised by his words. She had suspected all along that Ichimaru and Matsumoto were romantically involved, but this pretty much confirmed it. Especially since Renji seemed like fairly good friends with the vice captain of the Tenth Division. She didn't miss the look he gave her when he mentioned Ichimaru not wanting to hurt Matsumoto. Was Renji afraid he might be put in the same situation as Ichimaru was now?

Looking down, Rukia wondered what she would do if he were taken for Special Counseling. But she knew. She would find him. She didn't know what she would do after that, but she wouldn't leave him.

She watched as Matsumoto went to check on River, then spoke quietly to Tatsumi. "I know there is still mapping to be done, on the second floor. And of course, we always need to collect metal for the alchemists..." She gave Renji a questioning look, since he would likely know better what the Arts & Crafts Division needed.

"Any kind of supplies," Renji said. "Metal is most important to keep the alchemists going as fast as they can here. But things that can be used as weapons are just as good. Bandages and stuff like that. Mapping the second floor or finding the way down into the basement since that's apparently a new area." That was all he could think of, and pretty much everything that their entire team had been concentrating on, here. "Anything you do is appreciated."

It bothered him, that no one would be guarding the sun room. A lot. It bothered him that Ichimaru would be claiming a lot more blood before the night was out, and he wasn't even doing it of his own will. Which reminded him, he needed to talk to River... but tomorrow. She seemed to be in no shape for it tonight.

"Probably don't need anyone that able-bodied just to guard a door and warn people off," he murmured to himself. The obvious choice was himself. At least that way, he would be something approaching useful for the night. Though Rukia had certainly had a point; he needed to change into clothing that was less bloody first if he had any notion of being out in the halls. He wasn't in much shape to be fighting things right now. "First things first," he said.

He felt steady enough now to get to his feet, and he did so, though he took his time. It made him feel old almost, which was a bit strange, but there was no residual pain from the wound; Rukia had done a really good job, which was probably why she was looking so flat right now. He also picked up the sword. Rukia had brought it to him, if unintentionally, and even if he wasn't going to be fighting anything, just holding it made him feel better.

He grimaced as the bloody, slashed shirt clung to his stomach. For a moment, his hand gripped the hem; he thought about just taking the damn thing off, before Rukia told him too. But as in the showers before, he didn't particularly feel like even being partially naked around people. He frowned, letting his hand drop to his side.

Tatsumi nodded, and decided not to press further on the more specific areas. Rangiku would most likely know where they could collect supplies other than the restroom, and perhaps that would be for the best in the end. Even if it wasn't the kitchen, it was better to get something.

"Thank you both for the advice. I will do everything I can." Tatsumi smiled politely, and gave a small bow. The pair seemed nearly ready to leave, and he looked in the direction Rangiku had traveled again, wondering if she would be finished soon. "Be safe."

Rukia stood again when Renji got up. Thankfully her hair hung in her face, hiding the grimace of pain the movement caused. She felt like her whole body had been pulled through a wringer, but at least the bloody nose had stopped. She certainly wasn't in any shape to fight, but she would be okay after a little rest.

"We could come back later to guard the door," she suggested, unconsciously mimicking Renji's thoughts, "Though we wouldn't be much use if something decided to attack us." Running sticky hands through her tangled hair, she made a face, adding, "Well, let's go get cleaned up, anyway. I don't want to be in these clothes when they start stinking."

In a way, this felt really good. This was a normal enough conversation for two shinigami to be having, and it was practical; no messy emotions to deal with for just a few minutes. Realistically, Rukia knew that they would have to deal with some of those emotions tonight, but... not just yet. She and Renji could go wash up and change clothes, and maybe go back to see Colonel Mustang and apologize for leaving so suddenly. After that, they could talk. Or something.

"Thank you, Tatsumi," she said, bowing. "You be safe as well."

Eyes fixed on her feet, she turned away and reached up to take hold of Renji's fingers.

"Yeah," Renji admitted, though he wasn't happy about it. He really did just want to lay down and rest. The worst side of that was how tenuous it made his self control, when he'd already been worried about keeping himself together around everyone in general and Rukia in particular. "Aren't a lot of options for cleaning up," he said. "Bathroom's are out." There was no clean water to be had there.

He look from Rukia to River again; she seemed to be doing better, and she had many people helping, watching, standing guard against an attack. He'd talk to her tomorrow; neither of them were in any sort of shape to discuss business now, her thought. But he was certain now, at least, that she would be okay, and that was what mattered to him the most.

He gave Tatsumi a nod, and let Rukia take his hand. He didn't have the energy to fight now; it was easier to just be drawn in her wake. "We should stop by Mustang's first," he said. "To get your sword."

"Oh," she said, somewhat confused, "What's wrong with the bathrooms? Too dangerous?" Perhaps monsters were common there; Renji had been here a lot longer, so he might have found that to be the case.

Following Renji's gaze to where River and the others were, Rukia let out a soft breath. River looked like she would be okay.

Rukia looked up at Renji as she turned away from the group hovering over River. Tugging gently on his hand, she started walking toward the first M-block. "All right," she said quietly, "I just hope he's still there."

[Going here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/184780.html?thread=13438924#t13438924).]

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Nightshift 26: Hallway Outside M1 - M40 Blocks

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