The Wolf and the Crown [Shiro Tsukioka/Ask]

for the unfading miracle named 'you'

It's so nice out today, Shiro thought as he walked out of his barracks, grinning. The sun was surprisingly bright, but he didn't mind it too much. He was however, surprised that he had slept in so late. It had to be around noon now, judging from the sun's position. Shiro was usually up way before that. I suppose it doesn't really matter... It was one of his days off, after all. He could afford to waste a little time sleeping.

Something felt off. There was a familiar feeling, but Shiro couldn't quite place it. There was a presence... above him? No, it was on the roof of his barracks. Who...? Just as Shiro turned to look and see who or what it was, it moved suddenly. In fact, it had completely switched locations, suggesting the use of Shunpo. Just as he turned to look in the direction of the foreign Reiatsu, something slammed into him. With a barely audible yelp, the Shinigami fell back, hitting the back of his head against the ground.

"That hurt..." he groaned, sitting up and rubbing the back of his head. A familiar voice jolted the Shinigami out of his slight daze. He looked over to its source, seeing Ryuuto on the ground a few feet away. He was one of the only people that Shiro actually knew in the Seireitei; almost like an older brother, though Shiro was reluctant to admit it. But something was a little off about him this morning. How had he even managed to run into Shiro like that? "What are you doing here?" Shiro finally asked, looking surprised. He didn't even consider that he was ignoring the other Shinigami's question.

for the unfading miracle named 'you'

Shiro looked puzzled at first. Ryuuto didn't know how he had gotten here? How was that? But when the other Shinigami helped him up, he caught of a whiff of a rather distinct smell: sake. That explained everything. He had been drinking. Shiro narrowed his eyes only slightly; it wouldn't be noticeable to his hungover friend. That seemed like a really bad idea for a lieutenant. Having a few drinks was okay... but getting so drunk that he woke up in random places without knowing why? Then again, it was squad eleven.

The Shinigami had been about to voice the obvious, when Ryuuto cut him off. "Frosty...? What... oh." Then he got it and fell quiet. Ryuuto wasn't speaking to Shiro; he was talking to his Zanpakuto. At least he hoped that was it. Even so, it wasn't a very friendly conversation by the sounds of it.

Shiro just stood there, awkwardly scratching the back of his head. He didn't really want to interrupt whatever was going on with Ryuuto. Absently, he wondered if he should talk to his Zanpakuto more. Certainly, not out in the open like this. People would think he was crazy. Surely, it would help him get stronger, though.