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Kisuke rarely allowed himself to get into fights anymore. He simply didn’t need to. Not that he let himself get out of shape, but he knew that he was not at the very top of his game anymore. He had turned into someone controlling the board instead of playing on it.
He was still good enough, but his fight with Askin should have gone better. Though given the lack of information he had, that they all survived it was good enough.
Though it did have something of a permanent effect on his eyes. Kisuke found that while restructuring them had fixed most of the issues, he wasn’t not able to do some of the long sessions of science that he had used to. Even after all these years, there were some effects that lingered, much to his annoyance. Such as the need to rest his eyes being a requirement rather than a recommendation.
Generally, such an issue wasn’t bad. Just time consuming and disruptive to what he was doing. At certain times, however, the fact he had to close his eyes and give them time to recover came at a bad time. Like when yet another disgruntled group arrived to invade Soul Society. Starting by dealing with those who were associated with it.
Not that Kisuke considered himself an associate anymore. He assisted when needed, but he had a very transactional deal with them now. As long as it didn’t involve the fate of the world again, or the people that he had claimed as his own, Kisuke had no desire to take part in their battles.
Of course, not everyone was aware of that, which was why the current fight was taking place above the shoten. Kisuke had stepped up, as this new group was a step up from most that attacked in the living world.
Thus his eyes deciding to have a moment of blurring and aching was ill timed at best. Kisuke knew that the others were dealing with their own fights, and he just stretched out his senses to try to track his opponent.
Only to be blinded a second later. Though Kisuke was not worried by this, just wincing a bit as he reeled his senses back in.
Hearing the call of “Getsuga Tensho” was an absolute delight, and he stretched out feelers just enough to keep the area around him tracked. Kisuke had no desire to get hit by an accidental or sneak attack. So just enough reach to keep an eye out without being blindsided by Ichigo again. Would be feeling that sting a bit from what amounted to getting scalded by Ichigo’s overflowing power, but Kisuke was more charmed than anything.
He had never been in a situation where Ichigo had stepped in to rescue him before. So he was delighted to observe it as best he could while the fight lasted. Which was not long, as soon the others fled or were dealt with. Then Ichigo was by Kisuke’s side.
“You okay?” the younger man asked, hand catching Kisuke’s wrist. It was obvious that Ichigo had noticed Kisuke’s issue.
“I’m fine, Ichigo-san,” Kisuke said with a smile. “Who wouldn’t be after being saved by such an attractive hero~”
There was a snort from Ichigo, and he squeezed Kisuke’s wrist for a second and then let go. “Brat,” he said, though Kisuke could hear the amusement in Ichigo’s voice.
“It’s the truth. It is always a pleasure to see how skilled you are,” Kisuke told the redhead. “It’s quite appealing.”
Ichigo snorted, but he only drifted down, Kisuke right behind him. While he couldn’t see the other’s face, Kisuke could feel how pleased Ichigo was at the praise. He was going to be very annoyed if they got tangled up in yet another situation because Soul Society angered someone a thousand years ago.
They were very good at doing such things. It was getting to the point that he was going to break into the hall of records just to get an idea of who might show up next. He might as well know who would likely show up in the future.
That was for later. Instead, he landed carefully on the ground and reached a hand out. Ichigo didn’t hesitate to take it. While they both knew that Kisuke really didn’t need to be guided around, especially in his own home, it was still nice to have Ichigo offer. A warmth in his chest curled contentment through Kisuke as Ichigo carefully guided him back into the building.
There would be some talking soon, planning and digging for details about their new pests, but right now, Kisuke was going to enjoy this moment of being impressed and pampered by Ichigo. Always something to appreciate. So he kept his eyes closed, even when he could have opened them.
No need to rush back into action, after all.