Freeze Snake!
snakechains:
Hebi stood in front of Sode, waiting and watching; realizing full well that she wouldn’t believe that he was simply let off his chain to do as he wishes. What else can he say? It’s not like he can flat out tell her that he ditched Saru and Renji in the Seireitei all in the spirit of exploration and adventure. She may be kin, but she has other loyalties.
“Did she now?”
“Well, you see.. we were all on patrol, and there wasn’t anything going on. I was only a nuisance to them, apparently. So, just like always, Saru got upset with me and let me off the chain; rumbling about annoying someone else; I don’t remember what it was exactly.” Hebi smiled from ear to ear in hopes of selling his story.
“So with this new freedom you decided to slip out of the Seireitei and come all the way out here….”
Hebi shifted his weight back on to his tail, crossing his legs in mid air as he often did. “Well, I wouldn’t say I decided to come here as I more so stumbled here, haha.” Hebi slithered from left to right, fidgeting with his hands while he talked. “You see, I was running along a roof top, when I saw a small patrol heading towards the gate to Karakura Town. i couldn’t just let them come here by themselves now could I? What kind of zanpakuto would I be if I let them come here all alone?” He stopped his fidgeting and looked at Sode once more, hoping that she didn’t see through his false story.
While Hebi was looking at his elegant kin, he took note of her glances in a different location as well as the concerned look she was giving him. He couldn’t help but wonder what, or who it was she was looking for. Maybe her distraction is exactly what I need to give her the slip as well.
“Oh what to do? You really shouldn’t be out here by yourself Hebi.”
“I don’t suppose you know the way to get back?”
Hebi let out a gaping smile as he replied, “No need to be concerned about me, I am a Zanpakuto after all. I am more than capable of looking after myself.” He reached out his hand and gave her a thumbs up; the sort of a thing a child would do when they are clearly up to no good. “Yeah, yeah, of course I do. You don’t need to linger around here; I can find my way back, no problem.” Although, it wont be anytime soon. There is still so much to see and do. Not to mention, I am going to be in so much trouble when Renji and Saru get a hold of me. I don’t need to meet up with them anytime soon. Only an idiot would leap towards impending doom. He chuckled to himself and looked away from Sode; looking off into the distance and wondering what lay out there in the city for him to do.
“I see…”
Sode no Shirayuki could not imagine what it would be like to be chained to someone all the time like Hebi was to Saru. In fact, she could not imagine being a zanpakuto spirit of two. There was Zabimaru, Katen Kyokotsu and then there was Sogyo no Kotowari. She did not know the latter two very well, but she never did witness them fight with each other like the two halves of Zabimaru did.
“I’m sure she did not mean for you to wander so far away like you have. Lieutenant Abarai too.”
Despite their differences, they were one and being separated made them incomplete, If she was a zanpakuto spirit of two, she would want there to be an understanding and balance between them. What one did could affect the second. Even if he was being a handful, Saru should have been more careful. Because of her actions, Hebi was now here and Shirayuki could not help but feel responsible.
Despite his reassurances, Sode was not convinced. Her eyes kept drifting back from where she came. She could sense that Rukia was not far away so she could find her way back easily. But she couldn’t just turn her back on Hebi. She would surely be reprimanded if word got out that she had seen him and did nothing.
Finally she looked back to Hebi and smiled. “I am here with lady Rukia. She had some business to discuss with the substitute soul reaper located here.” She offered in explanation. “Which gives me a great idea! Why don’t you come join me and lady Rukia? I’m sure she would like to see you.”
It sounded like the perfect idea to Sode. Her smile was kind while her eyes brightened, trying to make the suggestion sound really sweet and hopefully get him to agree. This way she could rejoin Rukia quickly without her thinking she abandoned her for some reason and she could also put the decision in Rukia’s hands.
If Rukia deemed it necessary to turn back, then so be it. But maybe she would let him tag along; especially if Sode promised to stay close and watch him.
