[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/250116/28a4665692318df53ea398824a247a39.png[/img]
[b]Sagamiyama - Stone Household
Evening[/b][/center]

Darius leaned against the bathroom counter with a low sigh, peering at his reflection in the mirror. A heavy frown drew lines across his face, wrinkled the skin between his brows. He could swear there was grey in his hair, could believe that some of those frown lines were wrinkles that were here to stay. War aged a man, and stress wore him down. He had thought he was done with the first, and dealing with less of the second, yet here he was, about to put on yet another uniform and strike out against yet another force. The spiritual nature of it all was just a detail- the result was the same. Conflict. Always, always, there was conflict. He was so tired... And what would Aiko think? Even if he could get her to believe he was running around as a ghost, hunting spirits, he doubted she would be pleased he'd lasted all of six months in retirement before finding another war to fight.

Still... His hands clenched around the edge of the counter, a frustrated huff blown out through his nose. If he didn't do this, then the only ones in the line of fire would be a bunch of [i]kids[/i]. He wouldn't stand for it. Couldn't. And there was that distant voice. Like the gong of a far away church, getting louder every day- ever since the asauchi. He didn't know how he knew, but he knew what it said. There could be no rest for him. Not while there was still something, anything, to protect. 

Determined, he plucked that little green pill from his pocket, swallowing it down, and waiting a moment for the soul candy to take effect. It was always a strange feeling, being ejected from his body, stumbling back a step away from it, while the artificial soul now within looked around as if surprised. Steadying himself, grimacing as he always did at the strange, traditional nature of the shihakusho he wore in this form, he stepped forward to seize the soul- himself, really- by the shoulders, turning him roughly to stare into eyes equal to his own, but bearing a mind that most certainly wasn't.

[color=f26522]"You. Pay attention. You're going to put on pyjamas, you're going to lay down, and you're going to sleep. You stay that way until I get back. Touch my wife, and I put you in a goldfish. Clear?"[/color]

Once he was assured that there would be no antics or shenanigans by the soul candy while it inhabited his body for him, Darius released it with a nod, and struck out. He paused only briefly in his room, stooping low to brush a kiss over Aiko's cheek, though he knew she wouldn't see or feel him in soul form. 

[color=f26522]"I'll be back... Always. I promise."[/color]

[hr]

[center][h3]Sagamiyama - Sakuhana Park[/h3]
[b]Dusk[/b][/center]

Darius leaned back against the trunk of the Sakura tree that gave the park it's name and fame, that heavy frown still pulling at his features. He was seated, his zanpakuto resting across his lap, still in its sheath. He fidgeted idly with the tassel hanging from its guard, the only sign of his nerves over the battles to come. It has always been a bad habit, in situations like this- whether it was a strap on his gear, the carry strap for his weapon, or a bit of stray thread on his uniform, he'd always needed something to futz with in the hours of waiting before action. It helped him keep from overthinking- to keep his head clear going in, so it would be clear coming out. He had been the first to arrived- and he would remain there, seated, until the last of the others arrived, or they were called to action. Whatever happened, he knew his purpose this night.

He wouldn't let those kids come to harm. Not one of them. Not a scratch.