~29~

[skycrane]

[Video]

[Guess who missed Christmas? Kuukaku is clearly still in the Fourth, recovering from her injuries if the fretting attendant hovering over her shoulder is any indication. Cries of "Shiba-sama, please lay back down!" and "You'll open your injuries!" are dutifully ignored as Kuukaku leans forward to adjust the angle of the phone to center herself within the camera. A sharp "I'm just sitting up, I'm -fine!-" to the poor nurse before she turns and looks at the camera.]

I'm not dead, just letting you all know.

[A ginger shrug, the dislocated arm is in a sling, so the gesture is kind of funny-looking.]

And I'm going home. Boys, need ya to come over here and pick me up.

[An additional video is attached to Kensei's phone. Kuukaku, now with a very upset nurse behind her, levels a glare at the camera.]

Kensei. Third District, Wings of the Crane dress shop, ask for Rushi-san. Tell me when you're coming. 

[Kuukaku is ignoring the yelling as the Twins move in the background, trying to coax the nurse into telling them what care Kuukaku needed since she was leaving their tender care. However, the method they employ (yelling loudly, bowing, crowding over the poor man in their enthusiasm) seems to not be working.]

Unohana-taichou, feel free to be as angry with me as you'd like for skipping out early, but I can't afford to stay here much longer. I got way too much to catch up on. Sorry.

--

[Now, Christmas gifts!

Everyone on the network (even you, Aizen) gets a bundle of small fireworks - Poppers, Snapdragons, Spirals - arranged in a neat bundle that looks like a flower arrangement, the colorful paper wrappings in red, black, white, green and blue. Attached to each is a card:

Warning: Fireworks can cause fire. Do not operate in the direction of things flammable as this might set cause them to catch fire. This applies to people as well (Though if you do manage to manage to set someone on fire with these, please write us with the tale, we love this stuff!). The Shiba Family is not responsible for loss of property, life, limb, pets, clothes, the elderly, or annoying neighbors due to the negligent use of this product. Also, do not fire while point at your face or genitals. 

-Happy Holidays and a Lucky New Year, Shiba Kuukaku.

Ichigo gets a bottle of chocolate liquor and a set of three books that are antique zanjutsu manuals, hand-written and hand-drawn pages describing a very old style of swordplay that's a derivitive of kendo.

Renji gets a bottle of unique whiskey a head scarf.

Rukia gets a bottle of pink vodka and a book thats a "How To" drawing manual for bodies and people, including explanations of muscle groups and poses.

Urahara gets a bottle of booze thats right up his night owl alley and a hat.

Shunsui gets a bottle of whiskey and a modern-looking sake set.

Ukitake gets a bottle of green tea (kinda) and a fountain for his new garden

Orihime gets a bottle of colorful drink and a nice skirt.

Unohana gets a bottle of herbal liquor and a parasol.

Isane gets a bottle of peppermint schnapps and a thank you note for... ya know... saving her life.

Kensei gets a bottle of nice bourbon  and a cookbook that amused her.

Comments

[Filtered to Kuukaku-san, Voice]

[calm-tempest.livejournal.com]

I am merely cautioning you of over-exertion, not requesting that you remain sedentary. Straining yourself too much will do neither you nor the children any good.

[The next words are lighter, and there is a hint of fond playfulness within them.]

In truth, some part of me expected your early departure. You are not the only member of your family possessed of a stubborn nature; I cannot count the number of times your elder brother had taken it upon himself to leave before he was cleared. Such determination can be an admirable trait, when applied for the right reasons. As is the case here, and was frequently so with him.

Re: [Filtered to Unohana-taichou, Voice]

[shiba-explosion.livejournal.com]

[She pauses for a moment, a smile creeping over her face despite her best intentions.]

Good to know I haven't disappointed then.

See you at the show, Taichou.